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Wesselmann and Merton discuss the possibility of a married clergy within the Roman Catholic Church. Wesselmann supplies Merton with his detailed proposal and Merton makes many suggestions. Merton was a supporter of this cause, serving on the board of advisors for the National Association for Pastoral Renewal (NAPR), which advocated for a married clergy. The extant correspondence begins in November of 1966, but a reference is made to prior from Merton of October 6, 1966.
Robert Wesselmann was a priest and Monsignor of Belleville, Illinois, who left the active ministry in 1966 to marry. That year, Wesselmann forwarded to Merton his proposal for "An Experimental Ordinariate" which would consist of priest allowed to marry and continue their ministry, but to abide by certain stipulations, including earning the income to support himself and a family, etc. He moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1967. He was a member of the Canon Law Society of America, serving in leadership positions from 1964-1968.
Please click here for general restrictions concerning Merton's correspondence.
See also the "Wesselmann, Frances 'Tootie'" 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. |
1966/10/06 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Thanks for your letter and for your confidence. I will give you my reactions for what they are |
|
«detailed view» |
| 2. |
1966/10/no? |
TALS to Merton |
I would like to explain, by means of this letter, some facts about my life and something about |
|
«detailed view» |
| 3. |
1966/11/10 (#01) |
TL to Merton |
Enclosed is a draft of a new plan for experimentation which a group of us have hope of getting |
|
«detailed view» |
| 4. |
1966/11/10 (#02) |
other[c] to Merton |
An Experimental Ordinariate [-] 1. REFERENCES for theology on which this proposal is based: |
|
«detailed view» |
| 5. |
1966/11/15 (#01) |
TL[d] from Merton |
Here are my comments on your project for an Experimental Ordinariate for U.S. priests who would like |
|
«detailed view» |
| 6. |
1966/11/15 (#02) |
TL[d] from Merton |
Here are my comments on your project for an Experimental Ordinariate for U.S. priests who would like |
|
«detailed view» |
| 7. |
1966/11/15 (#03) |
TL[d] from Merton |
Here are my comments on your project for an Experimental Ordinariate for U.S. priests who would like |
|
«detailed view» |
| 8. |
1966/11/15 (#04) |
TL[d] from Merton |
Here are my comments on your project for an Experimental Ordinariate for U.S. priests who would like |
|
«detailed view» |
| 9. |
1966/11/15 (#05) |
TL[d] from Merton |
Insert Letter to Mgr Wesselmann [-] 3c (after "...reality of nuptial love") [-] However, the sexual |
|
«detailed view» |
| 10. |
1966/11/15 (#06) |
TL[c] from Merton |
Here are my comments on your project for an Experimental Ordinariate for U.S. priests who would like |
|
[likely the final version as sent]
«detailed view» |
| 11. |
1967/03/19 |
HLS to Merton |
Because of your efforts to help us last Fall, I want to take time out to wish you a joyful Easter |
|
«detailed view» |
| 12. |
1967/04/22 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Many thanks for your letter. I often think of you and Tootie and am happy to get any news. |
|
«detailed view» |
| 13. |
1967/06/28 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I am grateful for Tootie's nice letter: such a long time since it came! Have been having to go |
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[to both Robert and Tootie Wesselmann]
«detailed view» |
| 14. |
1967/12/16 (#01) |
HLS to Merton |
We read with interest the article on Monasticism in a recent issue of NCR. . We are still here |
|
«detailed view» |
| 15. |
1967/12/16 (#02) |
HCS to Merton |
A Joyful Christmas [-] Bob and Tootie Wesselmann [-] Kaye, |
|
«detailed view» |
| 16. |
1968/01/08 |
TL[c] from Merton |
Where you at? Still same place? I am starting a small mimeo magazine, poetry, short prose, |
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«detailed view» |
| 17. |
1968/04/19 |
TL[c] from Merton |
I am returning your questions-- finished in about an hour, maybe a little more. I realize that |
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«detailed view» |
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