Merton discusses the issue of Catholic dialogue with those outside of the Church.
Carleton Smith was a close friend of Cardinal Koenig, Archbishop of Vienna and head of the Secretariat for Non-Believers. The cardinal made a delegation to the United States in 1967 for the secretariat, which occasioned Smith to visit Gethsemani twice to dialogue about this dialogue with non-believers and other issues. Merton became godfather to Smith's son, Raphael, and corresponded with his wife, Anne. An authority on art, he founded as served as chairman of both the National Arts Foundation of New York and the International Awards Foundation. In his varied career, he served as music editor for Esquire and recorded folk songs from around the world. (Source: The Hidden Ground of Love, p. 556.)
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. |
1967/03/29 (#01) |
TALS to Merton |
Our friend, Caroline Hammer, has forwarded to me your letter to her dated March 23rd and has |
|
[see 1967/03/29[2] for Merton's reply on the same page of letter]
«detailed view» |
| 2. |
1967/03/29 (#02) |
telegram from Merton |
GLAD TO SEE YOU MORNING OF APRIL 4th IF YOU RENT CAR COME TO ABBEY ABOUT 9:30 |
|
[handwritten reply note to be sent via telegram on Smith's letter]
«detailed view» |
| 3. |
1967/04/05 |
HLS to Merton |
It was a lasting pleasure to talk with you yesterday - and I look forward to your thoughts |
|
«detailed view» |
| 4. |
1967/04/09 |
TL[c] from Merton |
In regard to the visit of Cardinal Koenig to this country as head of the Secretariate |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
| 5. |
1967/04/28 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Many thanks for your notes and clippings. I appreciate the latter and was especially interested |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
| 6. |
1967/05/08 |
TALS to Merton |
Thanks for the essay on "Christian Humanism" which says so much that needs saying. Do you have |
|
«detailed view» |
| 7. |
1967/05/14 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Thanks for your kind letter of the 8th. As a matter of fact I have not yet got around to doing |
|
«detailed view» |
| 8. |
1967/05/14 (#01) |
HLS to Merton |
If you do not receive book about Niels Bohr from Knopf please tell me (next time we are together |
|
«detailed view» |
| 9. |
1967/05/14 (#02) |
other to Merton |
PRIESTS POLLED ON CELIBACY VOW [-] Catholic Group Asks Views of 7,000 in This Area |
|
[newspaper clipping about priestly celibacy, which quotes priest from the New York City area, and mentions Merton as a member of the National Association for Pastoral Renewal and lists Merton as part of the advisory board - article dated 1967/05/16, so it may not be the clipping sent, which seems to have been on Vietnam]
«detailed view» |
| 10. |
1967/05/29 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Have I yet thanked you for the book on Niels Bohr? It has arrived and I am enjoying it immensely. |
|
«detailed view» |
| 11. |
1967/07/20 |
HPCS to Merton |
I read of Victor's death in Vienna papers. Had a long talk yesterday with Cardian König who hopes |
|
[verso: postcard of statues above an altar in Vienna, Austria]
«detailed view» |
| 12. |
1967/08/15 |
HNS to Merton |
Cardinal König will come by ship - go to Toronto to give a talk on the Theology of Communications |
|
«detailed view» |
| 13. |
1967/08/20 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I have your note from Paris. I suppose you know of the refusal of permission for me to come east |
✓ |
«detailed view» |
| 14. |
1967/08/31 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I am deeply distressed for you. Life can certainly be very cruel indeed sometimes. The story you |
|
«detailed view» |
| 15. |
1967/11/06 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I have your letter of October 30th and want to tell you I have also been in touch with Anne |
|
«detailed view» |
| 16. |
1967/11/24 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I am sorry I did not answer your letter earlier, but things have been very crowded here, and though |
|
[conscience matter]
«detailed view» |
| 17. |
1967/12/12 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Thanks for your recent letter and for the photograph of little Raphael. It is really touching, |
|
«detailed view» |
| 18. |
1983/01/24 |
TLS[x] from Shannon, William / to Francis Cardinal Koenig |
I am a priest of the diocese of Rochester, New York and a professor at Nazareth College. |
|
seeking the address of Mr. Smith
«detailed view» |
| 19. |
1983/02/07 |
TLS from Grabenwoger, Franz / to William Shannon |
On behalf of His Eminence I thank you for your letter of January 24. |
|
address of Mr. Smith
«detailed view» |
| 20. |
1983/02/16 |
TLS[x] from Shannon, William / to Carleton Smith |
I have recently been appointed as the general editor of the Thomas Merton letters - which, hopefully |
|
seeking approval to include letters, brief biographical information
«detailed view» |
| 21. |
1983/03/14 |
TLS from Smith, Carleton / to William Shannon |
Thank you for your letter of February 16, Of course, you have my approval to include all letters |
|
encloses two photographs to be returned, also a biographical sketch from Who's Who in America and a clipping from a local newspaper
«detailed view» |
| 22. |
1983/03/22 |
TLS[x] from Shannon, William / to Carleton Smith |
Thank you for your kind letter of March 14 and for your approval of my including the Merton letters |
|
information for making contact / thanks for pictures
«detailed view» |
| 23. |
1983/04/23 |
TLS[x] from Shannon, William / to Carleton Smith |
Under separate cover I am returning the two photographs of Merton you sent to me. I especially |
|
also sending copies of letters with places indicated where he has questions
«detailed view» |
|