I took this picture of Tony on the evening of our sunset walk. He is wearing a frayed shirt, baggy pants and cheap sneakers.

Tony never carried excess baggage in body or mind. For his state in life, matching clothes were excess baggage, so he wore whatever he could lay his hands on.

In the world of the spirit, Tony was the same—no excess baggage. Travel light. Be direct. Communicate.

A query answered
Some of you have respectfully made me aware of an official reaction from the Vatican to Tony's work and asked me for our response.

It is with great sadness that the surviving members of the deMello family read the criticism directed at our brother by the Vatican. But we know from history that prophets and holy men have often been misunderstood and misinterpreted by others with a vested interest.

I have thought hard about the criticism and offer three points in response:

1. All Tony's books have had audits before publication. They carry the "Imprimi Potest" (permission to print) from the Jesuit superior and "Imprimatur" (= "let it be printed") from the local Bishop.

   "When a Roman Catholic Bishop grants his imprimatur to a printed work, he assures the reader that nothing therein is contrary to Catholic faith or morals. The imprimatur is not given lightly; only after a thorough review process." (St Anthony Messenger Press)
    

2. I have received messages from people of all walks of life and many religious persuasions. Be they Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim or agnostic, they have nothing but positive views of Tony's words and work. I in particular am heartened by this response to my biography of Tony. It shows that no matter what criticism has been directed at him, his dream of uniting people is still alive.
    
3. Tony's dedication in The Song of the Bird unequivocally states:
   "This book has been written for people of every persuasion, religious and non-religious. I cannot, however, hide from my readers the fact that I am a priest of the Catholic Church. I have wandered freely in mystical traditions that are non-Christian and even non-religious and I have been profoundly influenced and enriched by them. It is to my Church, however, that I keep returning, for she is my spiritual home; and while I am acutely, sometimes embarrassingly, aware of her limitations and her occasional narrowness, I am also aware of the fact that it is she who has formed and moulded me and made me what I am today. So it is to her, my Mother and my Teacher, that I lovingly dedicate this book."

   Could any statement be clearer about Tony's integrity and intention?

   What a great pity that some officials of the Catholic church have not recognized a faithful son who was only trying to unite, in the name of Christ, people of all persuasions, while staying dutiful and loyal to his original upbringing!