Christians welcome news of sainthood for Mother Teresa

The saint of the gutters, as she was fondly called, dedicated her life to the service of the poor in her adoptive country of India.

Mumbai:  Christian leaders have welcomed the news of a Vatican plan to canonize Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata by September next year.

Media quoted head of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, Rino Fisichella, last week as saying that Sept. 4, 2016 will mark the Voluntary Work Jubilee and the hoped-for date for Mother Teresa's sainthood.?

Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson of the archdiocese of Bombay, was awaiting a formal notification from Rome. He said the announcement of sainthood had only been a matter of time.

"Pope John Paul II had beatified Mother Teresa in 2003 and awarded her the title of Blessed at the time. Canonization is the next step," he said.

Nuns at the Missionaries of Charity which she founded were overjoyed at the news. Eleven sisters who serve in the Vile Parle centre made a pretty picture of smiling faces as the good news arrived.

"Thanks be to God," said the seniormost nun. "This is a joyous occasion. I must say though that it is a mere formalization of what we have known and believed all along. We knew she was a saintly person and her canonization affirms our faith."

The 17 nuns at the Byculla centre sent up a prayer of gratitude as well. Sr Magdalita said, "I have eaten, worked and slept with Mother Teresa in Kolkata where she would advise us to remain beneath the cross, that is be humble in service.

The honour comes shortly after the RSS's allegations of conversion. "We did not react because the charges were not true. We believe her detractors will understand in time. If conversion was our agenda we could have converted the entire world given that we have a presence in so many countries," said a nun in the Byculla centre.

Gordon D'Souza, president of the Bombay Catholic Sabha, said this was a well-deserved honour. He said, "Hers was such a clear cut case for sainthood that we wonder why it took so long."

Abraham Mathai, president of Indian Christian Voice, organises an annual awards ceremony in her name. He said Mother Teresa had brought a smile to the face of lepers, destitutes and AIDS victims. "Her message of love towards fellow human beings holds the key for peace in our polarized world," he said.

Source: Times of India