From the Revd Gary Hall
Sir, — Thank you for your kind mention in the round-up report on Greenbelt 2015 (4 September). I feel obliged to correct a few inaccuracies, however, about Thomas Merton. He joined a Trappist, not a Franciscan, community (though he had presented himself to the Franciscan order, and worked at a Franciscan college). He did not discourage protest per se, just challenged noisy and violent demonstrations. His monasticism was both protest and action.
I am not aware that Joni Mitchell criticised her friend Merton.
GARY HALL
The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education
Birmingham
B15 2QH