Sir, – It would serve Eamonn McCann well to take note that we humans are generally "part gold and part clay" in our make-up, and I am sure that Mother Teresa was no different ("Mother Teresa not really much of a role model", December 24th).
Despite any failings that she may have had, we are all in need of sound role models , especially those who are authentic witnesses to the virtue of “loving our neighbour”.
In 1997 Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitutes a threat to peace”.
She refused the traditional ceremonial banquet given to laureates, and asked that the $192,000 prize fund be given to the poor in India, stating that earthly rewards were important only if they helped her to help the world’s needy.
Some of Eamonn McCann’s wild assertions relating to the the canonisation process are insulting to faithful Catholics, and one can only wonder whether they were written intentionally to cause offence.
One would also have to question if Mother Teresa’s staunch opposition to abortion was not a factor in this polemic, now that the brave new world of 2016 beckons for the cultural elite of Ireland. – Yours, etc,
DON CAHALANE,
Beaumont,
Cork.
Sir, – Eamonn McCann sees the proposed canonisation of Mother Teresa as “an exercise in propaganda”. He goes further when he denounces her as a “dishonest opportunist” and a “front for fraud”.
If Mother Teresa had wanted to defraud her fellow human beings, she could have picked an easier number than looking after the poorest people in one of the poorest cities in the world.
Whether one sees the canonisation of Mother Teresa as propaganda or not depends on one’s opinion.
Eamonn McCann’s article shows how he feels. It also shows that he obviously feels it necessary to get in some opposing propaganda. – Yours, etc,
A LEAVY,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – I was surprised to see Eamonn McCann interpreting the life of Mother Teresa in such a negative fashion, noticeably lacking in Christmas cheer. Not only is he startlingly unoriginal in following the tired liberal arguments of the likes of Christopher Hitchens, but he is also wildly inaccurate. For example, he describes how the “masses” (of Catholics, presumably) “are told under pain of hellfire that they must unquestioningly obey the rules of the church”.
I have taken part in church life for many decades in several continents and I have never been addressed or threatened in such a manner.
Perhaps Eamonn McCann has been carried away by a spirit of Christmas reminiscence and has concluded that a vaguely remembered church of his childhood still exists. – Yours , etc,
DONAL DEASY,
Richmond,
British Columbia,
Canada.
Sir, – Eamonn McCann’s Christmas Eve attack on the canonisation of Mother Teresa of Calcutta is another tiresome addition to the “Mother Teresa was actually evil” bandwagon and is extremely misguided in its understanding of canonisation.
He asserts that medieval popes came up with the idea for propaganda purposes. This is utter nonsense. The veneration of saints goes back to the earliest origins of the church. For example, the reason why the priest kisses the altar at Mass is because Mass was originally celebrated on the graves of the martyrs and this was a way of venerating their relics.
The official process is a more modern invention but it has its foundations in the earlier practice and its purpose is not to secure power and influence but to provide the faithful with models of holiness that they may seek assistance from and to guide them in their own answer to the universal call to holiness.
Mother Teresa was a deeply flawed, imperfect woman. So are almost all of the saints the church venerates.
Canonisation is not a statement that someone is perfect. It is a statement that someone responded generously to the call of God.
Despite her many flaws and despite years of suffering, Mother Teresa certainly answered her call. May she pray that all of us will answer our call with as much love as she did. – Yours, etc,
NIALL GUINAN,
Coosan,
Co Westmeath.