Thomas Merton (1915-1968), a Trappist monk and Catholic [1] mystic, was one of the most highly regarded (by both Catholics and Protestants) Catholic [1] leaders of [the 20th] century. According to Harvey D. Egan, a Jesuit scholar, Merton “blended in his writings the scriptures, the Fathers of the Church, the Desert Fathers, the great Christian mystics, the Russian Orthodox mystics, contemporary Catholic [1] and Protestant theology, modern psychology [2]…existentialism, Taoism and Buddhism…with an incredible sensitivity for…social justice, urban violence, poverty, ecumenism, and the East-West dialogue.” He was a “voice of authority in the American [Catholic [1]] Church, and far beyond.”
Links:
[1] https://www.thebereancall.org/taxonomy/term/5/catholicism
[2] https://www.thebereancall.org/taxonomy/term/56/psychology