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Letter from Philip Berrigan to Miss Murphy: Nov. 1, 1968
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Letter from Philip Berrigan to Miss Murphy: Nov. 1, 1968
View smaller version of imageCatonsville Library, Baltimore County Public Library
Collection: Friends of Catonsville Library
Date: 1968-11-01
Date of Digitization: 2004-03-30
Source: Catonsville Library
Original Dimensions: 27 x 21 cm
Creator: Berrigan, Philip, 1923-2002
Description:
A copy of a letter written on November 1, 1968 from prison by Philip Berrigan to Miss Mary Murphy (Mary E. Murphy's daughter), in response to her letter.

Transcription: 
harm, and if there was time, we would have told her that 
we respected and revered her.  But we do not respect her 
job, or the job of anyone- or their silence- that con-
tributes to this war, and to the inner dissolution of 
America.  Her pain comes from the fact that while she is 
an hornorable and decent human being, she is also an em-
ployee of the Army of Defense.  But please tell her to
try not to be disturbed.  I have said substantially the 
same to members of the Cabinet, to Congressmen, to GI's, 
to my brother, and to my, nephhew, who is now back in Viet-
nam.  None of them liked it, all of them withstood me 
with anger and disgust.  But i'm sure they thought and 
agonized over what they heard, and became better persons 
as a result. 

Incidentally, tell your brother that he needn't worry 
further about prosecuting me for defamation or whatever 
else he has in mind.  We still face charges from the State 
of Maryland ranging from destruction of property, sabotage
and assault upon persons. Off the top of my head, I would 
think that justice will be done, even to satisfy the 
most demanding.  

Tom Lewis is with me here, under the same charges and 
with the same prospects.  You would like Tom- he is not 
only a superb young artist, but a better human being.
Like you and me, most of his adult Christian life has
been spent serving others, particularly black people.  
I showed him your letter, and I believe he will write 
you also.  At any rate, his sentiments join mine- he sends 
with me wishes for Christ's grace, peace and blessing.

                                      Devotedly in Our Lord,
                                      Fr. Berrigan, SSJ