In this series of letters, Kennedy and Merton discuss the problems of nuclear armament, the Cold War, and discrimination. They also discuss the views of Robert and John Kennedy on these matters.
Ethel Kennedy is the widow of Robert F. Kennedy and daughter of George and Ann Skakel (see "Skakel, Ann Brannack" file).
If the person in correspondence with Merton has full text records in the Merton Center Digital Collections, there will be a numeric link to them below.
This Record Sub-Group is not divided into Series and is arranged chronologically.
Click icons for links: ✓="Published | Library Record", ✉="Scanned" | 🗷="Scanned, Viewable Only at Merton Center"
| # | Date | From/To | First Lines | Pub ✓ | Notes |
| | y/m/d | Merton | | Scan ✉ | |
| 1. |
1961/08/23 |
TLS to Merton |
Thank you very much for your beautiful prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and for your extra |
|
thanks for prayer and personal note to Bobby [Kennedy]
«detailed view» |
| 2. |
1961/09/04 |
TL[c] from Merton |
It was a very pleasant surprise to get your kind little note and I am indeed grateful for it. I |
✓ |
Merton's views on resumption of nuclear weapons testing and hopes that she can pass this on to President Kennedy / Dan Walsh / enclosing a "gruesome poem about extermination camps" with a message about nuclear war
«detailed view» |
| 3. |
1961/10/30 |
TLS to Merton |
I was so delighted to hear from you and to learn of your complete endorsement of the President's |
|
President Kennedy's views on nuclear disarmament / Russian resumption of nuclear testing
«detailed view» |
| 4. |
1961/12/no? |
transcript from Merton |
I liked very much the president's speech at Seattle which encouraged me a bit as I had just written |
✓ |
[Cold War Letters #10] interview for Izvestia / communication with China and Russia / war the enemy, not Russia / work with USSR to prevent nuclear war / moral decline / morals in the face of a "fast buck" / this nation's dream world - don't know ourselves or enemies / lack of Church anti-nuclear involvement
«detailed view» |
| 5. |
1963/03/14 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Harper Bros, the Publishers, are going to send you at my request the autobiography of an interesting |
✓ |
autobiography of Fr. Bruno James - priest working in the slums of Naples and has homemade university / book on peace banned by superiors / Cuban missile crisis and JFK's handling / Bobby Kennedy and Civil Rights / South's attitude on race is great fodder for Communist criticism of U.S.
«detailed view» |
| 6. |
1963/11/23 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I have just come from offering mass for the repose of the Presidents soul, and I want you to know |
✓ |
assassination of President Kennedy / prayers for Bobby, Ethel, Jackie and the whole family / thoughts on the tragedy of the event
«detailed view» |
| 7. |
1963/12/no? |
HCS to Merton |
It was good of you to write. We are grateful for your wonderfully kind thoughts and affection and |
|
"Thank You" card for Merton's 1963/11/23 letter
«detailed view» |
| 8. |
1965/01/18 |
TLS to Merton |
The new year started off right for us by opening a small package from Dan Walsh which turned out to |
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Seeds of Destruction / Merton told Dan Walsh not to give them the book / "front and center of Bobby's library on that subject" / Merton's offer to send an abstract drawing instead of the book
«detailed view» |
| 9. |
1965/02/26 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Dan Walsh has no spirit of obedience whatever, especially when it comes to giving away books signed |
✓ |
Merton's discussing his "works of 'art'" and where they will be exhibited / asks Ethel if she can arrange a showing for these subversive works in Washington / she can pick one and have "the non-distinction of owning 'a Merton'" / Gomez Sicre - Pan American Union / proceeds to Negro scholarship in Louisville
«detailed view» |
| 10. |
1968/06/22 |
TL[c] from Merton |
After sending my telegram I also planned to write you at least a brief letter. But I know you must |
✓ |
Robert F. Kennedy's death / enclosing touching letter from Brazil / shock of "Bobby's tragic immolation" / Bobby Kennedy's hope for the country and hope for peace / remaining prospects sour for presidency / Dom James at the funeral and brought messages from Ethel and Rose Kennedy
«detailed view» |
| 11. |
1969/11/04 |
telegram to Walsh, Daniel |
Thomas Merton was a great spiritual force in so many of our lives. I know how much he meant to |
✉ |
condolences for Merton's death and regrets about not being able to attend opening of the Thomas Merton Studies Center
«detailed view» |
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