CONTENTS
Blessings and Blame
“The Most Obedient Woman in the Church”
MOTHER TERESA
A Biography
Meg Greene
INTRODUCTION
Modern popular culture promotes fame, emphasizing scandal and controversy to enhance status. Yet, this phenomenon does not fully explain the profound influence of a humble nun like Mother Teresa. Despite her modesty, she had an immense impact globally through her selfless work with the poor in India, fueled by her unwavering faith. However, she was not immune to celebrity culture, using it to the advantage of her mission. Over time, media scrutiny intensified, revealing both admiration and criticism, challenging her image as a saint. Despite the misunderstandings, she remained steadfast in her faith and was ordained by Pope John Paul II in 2003. The criticism continued, prompting further examination of her life and beliefs, which were deeply intertwined. This biography attempts to reveal the essence of this extraordinary and seemingly ordinary woman.
“The Most Obedient Woman in the Church”
“THE MOST OBEDIENT WOMAN IN THE CHURCH”
Despite maintaining her grueling schedule, in the early 1990s Mother Teresa could not continue traveling indefinitely to some of the world’s most troubled regions. From 1989, her health began to decline. That September, he suffered a near-fatal heart attack, requiring major surgery. This heart problem is not new; She was diagnosed about 15 years ago. Nevertheless, she continued with her busy activities.
After installing the pacemaker in December 1989, Mother Teresa continued her journey to establish new homes for the Missionaries of Charity. However, in 1991, she was hospitalized again for heart disease and bacterial pneumonia at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, California. Later, she became ill while visiting Tijuana, Mexico, leading to surgery to address a blood vessel blockage.
Despite her growing weakness, Mother Teresa refused to slow down. Then, in 1993, while in Rome, she fell and broke her ribs. That July, she was admitted to a Bombay hospital for two days due to exhaustion. A month later, she was again hospitalized in New Delhi, this time for a malaria infection complicated by heart and lung problems. She was shifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where she recovered in the intensive care coronary unit. After spending less than a month at home in Calcutta, she needed treatment again, this time for a blocked coronary artery. Clearly, the toll of age and years of hardship, travel and service manifested itself in Mother Teresa’s declining health.
UNWILLING TO LET GO
By 1990, due to her declining health, Mother Teresa began to seriously consider stepping down as head of the Missionaries of Charity. She communicated her intentions to Pope John Paul II. However, despite these thoughts, she took no action. Some speculated that she was reluctant to relinquish control of the order she founded, while others believed she feared a drop in donations if she stepped down. Therefore, her stewardship is considered critical to the order’s survival and mission.
Even among her supporters, Mother Teresa’s reluctance to appoint a successor raised concerns. Although she had built a significant organization with considerable goodwill and financial resources, many felt that her failure to plan for the future was short-sighted and self-centered. Church leaders recognize the need for a younger, more energetic leader to take the helm. There were also fears among her supporters that her declining health might overshadow the goodwill she had amassed. Even if he stepped down, some speculated that he would remain involved in the order, focusing on tasks that did not require extensive travel, such as daily administration and education. Yet, for now, Mother Teresa refuses to consider partial retirement.
Despite her health challenges, Mother Teresa continued to respond to crises worldwide and received substantial financial support from world leaders. For example, Yasser Arafat, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization, personally presented her with a $50,000 check in Calcutta, although he did not disclose the reasons for the donation.
Although the previous three decades had been largely favorable to Mother Teresa, attitudes began to change in the 1990s. This shift is exemplified by Germaine Greer’s article about Mother Teresa’s work in Bangladesh two decades ago. Additionally, controversy arose when plans for a film about her life were announced. Despite the support of the Vatican and the involvement of prominent figures such as Glenda Jackson and Dominique Lapierre, Mother Teresa refused to cooperate with the plan without explanation. Her media profiles became less flattering, portraying her as demanding and arrogant, foreshadowing potential challenges ahead.
HELL’S ANGEL
On November 8, 1994, British television station Channel Four aired a controversial half-hour film called “Hell’s Angel” produced by Pakistani-born Tariq Ali. The film, featuring journalist Christopher Hitchens, made accusations against Mother Teresa that she had close ties to political powers and offered spiritual comfort to dictators and wealthy exploiters, contradicting her portrayal of humility and service to the poor.
The origin of the film is a Bengali doctor in London, Dr. Arup Chatterjee, who criticized Western appreciation of Mother Teresa and highlighted the neglected efforts of other individuals and groups in Calcutta. The production company, Bandung, accepted Chatterjee’s views as he had already expressed similar grievances about Western depictions of Calcutta’s poverty.
Hitchens’ involvement in the film may seem surprising, but he had previously met Mother Teresa in 1980. In a 1992 article, he detailed her confrontation and criticized her approach to issues such as abortion and contraception. A form of propaganda. Hitchens, in the film “Hell’s Angel,” accused Mother Teresa of questionable connections with figures like Haitian dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier and communist dictator Enver Hoxha. He alleged that her Missionaries of Charity amassed tens of millions of dollars annually, suggesting that the funds could make a greater impact if concentrated in Calcutta.
Despite Catholic Church backlash and viewer complaints, the documentary drew 1.6 million viewers and sparked controversy. Mother Teresa’s supporters rallied against the biased portrayal, while she remained unfazed, stating, “No matter who says what, you should accept it with a smile and do your own work.” Despite cancellation of a Taiwan visit, she continued her mission. While some criticized the film’s bias, others, like Reverend Andrew de Berry, agreed with its questioning of the “cult of Teresa.”
THE MISSIONARY POSITION
Following “Hell’s Angel”, Hitchens expanded his criticism in the book “The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice”. He questioned the saintly image of Mother Teresa, suggesting that it was fabricated by those who were supposed to believe in her altruism. Hitchens accused him of soliciting a cult and questioned how he managed the money he raised, refusing to disclose financial details. He examined her relationships with figures such as Robert Maxwell, the Duvaliers and Charles Keating, implicating her in questionable affairs. Although Mother Teresa portrayed herself as apolitical, engaging with controversial figures and interceding on behalf of convicted fraudsters such as Keating, Hitchens revealed what he saw as arrogance rather than innocence.
Mother Teresa faced criticism for her selective silence on political issues and for accepting support from dictators. When Washington visited Anacostia, D.C., residents expressed frustration with her charitable approach, prioritizing solutions to systemic problems. Hitchens’ book garnered mixed reviews, with some accusing him of attacking a saintly figure, while others accepted his criticism of Mother Teresa’s priorities. Despite the controversy, Mother Teresa emphasized forgiveness when asked about the book. Journalist Mary Poplin relayed Mother Teresa’s response, indicating her unwavering faith in God’s forgiveness.
A GROWING MINORITY
The debate surrounding Hitchens’ accusations against Mother Teresa has seen other voices join her criticism. Lancet editor Dr. Robin Fox highlighted the quality of medical facilities at Nirmal Hriday, Calcutta, noting the lack of basic diagnostic procedures and pain relief. Clifford Longley, a former religious affairs reporter, expressed concern about Mother Teresa’s emphasis on death, fearing it would glorify suffering. He questioned how his views on abortion squared with his concern for the poor. These remarks sparked a wider debate about whether Mother Teresa’s method of charity was outdated or still relevant in modern times. Mary Poplin, a volunteer at Mother Teresa’s facilities, described the lack of medical equipment and procedures, which contrasted with the expectations of Western visitors. He noted the Missionaries of Charity’s resistance to having medical equipment widely unavailable to the poor.
MORE CONTROVERSY
In her final years, Mother Teresa found herself amid controversy. In February 1994, he visited Washington, D.C. at the invitation of then-President Bill Clinton. reluctantly attended the National Prayer Breakfast at Although much of the speech focused on abortion, she received no applause from the top table where the president was seated, although she later apologized. During this event, he met Hillary Clinton, who later helped establish a children’s shelter in Washington.
In September 1995, a tragic incident in Calcutta drew attention, when a 15-year-old girl suffered severe burns while cooking on the streets. Despite efforts to get proper medical care, bureaucratic obstacles and misunderstandings led to her being rejected by several facilities run by the Missionaries of Charity, sparking criticism against Mother Teresa for the first time. Despite the inquiries, Mother Teresa refused to discuss the matter, fueling further scrutiny.
Just a couple of months later, Mother Teresa faced a political controversy that led to public criticism from church officials in India. This marked a significant challenge to her work and beliefs, causing widespread disillusionment among many. These events marked a rare moment of controversy in Mother Teresa’s venerable legacy.