Rebecca Alpert Jim Biechler Marcus Braybrooke Ellen T. Charry Leobard D'Souza David Efroymson Gabriele Feyler Stefan Feyler Eugene Fisher Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer Krystina Gorniak-Kocikowska Yitz Greenberg Wan-Li Ho Sanaullah Kirmani Reinhard Kirste Hans Küng Lihua Liu Jack Malinowski Patricia Martinez Sergio Mazza Alan Mittleman Ronald Modras Paul Mojzes Malcolm Nazareth Angelika Quade Ida Raming Virginia Kaib Ratigan John Sahadat Simone Schaupp Ingrid Shafer Shu-hsien Liu Thomas Thompson Catherine Berry Stidsen

Malcolm Nazareth It's to my first and only phone conversation with Paul Knitter in the summer of 1990 that I owe my first acquaintance with Len.  I had read Paul's No Other Name? (1985) and Len's Toward a Universal Theology of Religion (1987) while working in the 1980s on my master's dissertation in theology back in India. In the summer of 1990, I was in Philly visiting with my brother Desmond when I called Paul who was then (as now, too?) in Cincinnati. I asked Paul if he had any ideas about where I might pursue doctoral studies in religion or theology.  I told him of my passionate interest in religious pluralism. He asked me, "Where are you calling from?"  "Philadelphia," I replied.  "Call my friend Len Swidler.  He's the best for what you have in mind.  He's right there in Philly." I followed up on Paul's suggestion.  And that led to my first meeting with Len--over the phone.  Without any fuss, he immediately gave me an appointment for the very next morning.  I was glad to meet face to face with Len who was evidently a very busy man, yet made the time to visit at very short notice. He warmly invited me to join the Religion graduate program at Temple. He gave me a few important hints to keep in mind while applying.  And that's how I went on to join the program, to get my master's in 1992, and finally ear my Ph.D. in August of 1998.  Len was chair of my dissertation, "Narayan Vaman Tilak: An Interreligious Exploration." Paul Knitter was absolutely right. I first got to see Arlene sometime in 1991 or 92.  Len had invited Mariani and me to some program.  It was in a theater-like hall.  Arlene sat next to us but never said a word.  Her behavior seemed particularly cold for our very first meeting. Another friend later told me about Arlene's health condition.  At that time I had no idea of Alzheimer's. It was only several years later that I saw for myself, when I was visiting Len's home, how this mental disease had ravaged the personality of a very intelligent and capable woman. Mariani and I were most edified and impressed with the great love Len has steadfastly and indefatigably shown his better half "in sickness and in health." I wonder if there are very many scholars in academia today who have travelled as extensively, published as prolifically, and made as many professional presentations in as many countries and cultures, both eastern and western, as Len has in a single lifetime. Just try and scroll down the list of his presentations and publications and see if your head doesn't start spinning in a few minutes. [Editor's note: here is a link to Len's resume.] The friends Len has made across the globe as an apostle of dialogue across religions and cultures, on the one hand, and, on the other, as no less ardent an advocate of Catholic Church reform are legion. Ideologically I don't happen to see eye to eye with Len. But I have been heartened and impressed by the fact that Len has been able to touch the hearts of many, including myself, through his kind gestures and quick responses to any call for help. He has, for example, immediately and without any hesitation written letters of recommendation on my behalf with such stunning speed that I have sometimes wondered if Len ever takes sufficient time out for himself.  He has been a wonderful Mensch. Behind every great woman is a great man.  So, I believe I can intuit the human quality of Arlene Swidler just from remembering the greatness of her husband. Len and Arlene, ad multos annos!

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