New York Times Letters on Mother Teresa’s Struggle With Faith and Doubt

Posted by Kendall Harmon

Here is one:

To the Editor:

I am not religious, but I must agree with James Martin when he points out that “gleeful detractors” might use the recent revelations about Mother Teresa’s religious crisis as an example of the “hypocrisy of organized religion.”

I can only say that people who take Mother Teresa’s doubts as a smoking gun are not only being disingenuous, but also ignoring Catholic doctrine. One key concept of the church is that salvation and true faith are a lifelong journey, not an instant entitlement. One can assume that Mother Teresa’s wrenching letters and journal entries are proof of such a journey, not her lack of faith.

When politicians throw around the word “compassionate” with such ease and cynicism, Mother Teresa’s selfless work can only be a testament to the depth and strength of her beliefs, and provides inspiration for everyone, even the nonreligious.

Roberto Mendoza


Read them all.







Filed under: * Religion News & Commentary • Other Churches • Roman Catholic

3 Comments
Posted September 1, 2007 at 3:28 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. vulcanhammer wrote:

Mother Teresa’s spiritual journey can only be understood in the context of Roman Catholic spirituality, as I point out elsewhere.

September 1, 3:54 pm | [comment link]
2. Jeff Thimsen wrote:

This whole matter was reported at length in First Things in 2003. What’s the big deal now?

September 1, 6:27 pm | [comment link]
3. Hursley wrote:

Would that TEC’s progressives had this much understanding of those with whom they do not share a common faith.

September 2, 12:36 am | [comment link]
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