Re the “poster boy” issue: Shaw argues that Merton’s abbot, his agent and his editor — and possibly various popes — all tried to cram Merton into a saint suit, the ideal happy monk, all problems solved by donning the habit, etc. It’s simply not true. All Merton’s journal-based books, beginning with “The Sign of Jonas,” made clear the problems he had being a Trappist. Yes, there were readers who saw him as a model — these would include not only progressive/liberal Catholics but many conservatives. They all had their disillusionments as Merton didn’t live up to expectations in any of these camps: too traditional for the liberals, too politically radical for the traditionalists. One might compare him to Thoreau, who also didn’t quite fit in any group.

friendly greetings,

Jim Forest