Peace Activist and Catholic Columnist Colman McCarthy Dies at 87
Colman McCarthy, longtime columnist, educator, and advocate for peace rooted in Catholic social teaching, died on February 27 in the Dominican Republic at the age of 87. According to family members, he died from complications related to pneumonia. He had been living in the Dominican Republic since 2022 with one of his sons.
McCarthy was widely known for his decades of writing on social justice, war, education, and faith. From 1969 to 1997, he served as a columnist on the opinion page of The Washington Post, where his work earned him recognition as a persistent moral voice in American public life. He later contributed regularly to the National Catholic Reporter from 1999 to 2021, continuing to explore political and cultural issues through a lens shaped by Catholic ethics and nonviolence.
Often described as principled and intellectually independent, McCarthy’s columns ranged across politics, religion, and even sports. His writing style blended wit with moral clarity, and he consistently challenged readers to examine questions of war, capital punishment, poverty, and systemic injustice. His Catholic faith informed much of his advocacy, particularly his belief that peace must be taught intentionally in both schools and society.
Beyond journalism, McCarthy dedicated much of his life to education. He founded the Center for Teaching Peace in Washington, D.C., and introduced peace studies courses in numerous high schools and universities. He believed that nonviolence was not merely an ideal but a discipline that could be learned and practiced. For decades, he traveled throughout the region teaching students about conflict resolution, civil rights, and ethical responsibility.
Friends and family also recalled aspects of his life that extended beyond writing and activism. McCarthy was an accomplished athlete in his youth. He once held a PGA Tour card in the 1950s and competed as an amateur in professional tournaments, including the 1959 Mobile Open. He was also a committed long distance runner who completed the Boston Marathon three times and ran several other major races.
In keeping with his values, McCarthy was known for minimizing his use of cars and commuting by bicycle for many years, logging tens of thousands of miles across the Washington area. His lifestyle reflected his broader commitment to simplicity and personal accountability.
McCarthy was preceded in death by his wife, Mavourneen, in 2021. He is survived by his three sons, several grandchildren, and extended family members.
Throughout his long career, Colman McCarthy remained steadfast in his belief that faith and conscience demand active engagement in the pursuit of justice and peace, leaving behind a legacy that shaped both public discourse and generations of students.
