Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Macedonia in 1910, is renowned for her charitable work, particularly in establishing schools for the poor, hospices for the terminally ill, and colonies for lepers. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a global religious order with a membership of over 4,000 nuns. Despite her significant contributions, Mother Teresa's legacy has been marred by controversy and criticism.
Her charitable empire has been linked to questionable decisions, relationships, and motives. Critics argue that her altruistic actions were more for show than genuine good, aimed at relieving the white Western world of its guilt and providing a pat on the back for the rich and powerful. There are allegations that she had a dubious way of caring for the sick, questionable political contacts, and suspicious management of large sums of money she received.
According to a report titled "Mother Teresa's Legacy," volunteers at her homes were not vetted, trained, or required to have medical experience. The report claimed that nuns were reusing needles after only washing them in tap water and that they werehed clothes covered in urine and feces right next to silverware.
Despite her controversial practices, Mother Teresa was highly regarded in the Catholic Church and was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016. Her canonization was based on two miracles she was credited with: the supposed cure of Monica Besra from cancer and a man's brain infection in Brazil. However, these miracles have been criticized, with some suggesting that the true miracle was the medical treatment Besra had received.
In conclusion, while Mother Teresa's contributions to charity are undeniable, her legacy is clouded by controversy and criticism over her practices and motives. Her canonization and the adoration she received posthumously from the Catholic Church do not fully exonerate these criticisms.
1. Mother Teresa was born to humble origins in Skopje, Macedonia in late August of 1910 .
2. She began to feel a significant spiritual connection to God by the age of 12 and joined the Sisters of Loretto, a group of Irish nuns, in 1931 .
3. The name Teresa comes from Saint Teresa of Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries .
4. She taught at St Mary's High School in Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, from 1931 to 1948 .
5. In 1948, she decided to work more directly with the city's poor and opened an open-air school for children in poverty .
6. In 1950, she created the Missionaries of Charity, whose purpose was to care for the sick and dying .
7. By 1965, her order had spread globally, creating centers to serve the disadvantaged .
8. Throughout her life, she received many awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 .
9. She suffered a heart attack in 1989 and passed away on September 5th, 1997 .
10. At the time of her death, the Missionaries of Charity boasted over 4,000 nuns spread over 90 countries .
11. She was officially canonized by Pope Francis in 2016 .
12. Despite her posthumous adoration from the church, Mother Teresa was not without her controversies .
13. Critics have questioned her methods of caring for the sick and her management of large sums of money .
14. There have been allegations that she would baptize the dying without their consent and that she ignored common sanitation protocols .
15. Her association with various questionable people, including media proprietor Robert Maxwell and business tycoon Charles Keating, has also raised eyebrows .
16. Critics have questioned the quality of medical care provided by her hospices and the true motivations behind her altruistic actions .