The legacy of a silent mother – CNN-IBN Channel Inteview on Mother Teresa
It is pointless to attack a person (now declared Blessed by the Vatican) who is no more to answer all these charges which are unfounded and only intended to tear the fabric of religious harmony which India has been practising for ages?
Sri Isaac Gomes (Kolkata) reviews the CNN-IBN Channel Interview on Blessed Mother Teresa.
"This has reference to the interview of Fr Dominic Gomes, Vicar General and Mrs Sunita Kumar, spokesperson of Missionaries of Charity on CNN-IBN Channel on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at 9 pm. They were called to answer the allegation by Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Supremo, that “Conversion” was the motive behind all the service of Mother Teresa to the poor and even the dying.
Sunita Kumar took the questions with admirable ease (like an astute PRO) and answered them quite convincingly. Fr Dominic too spoke out but for some inexplicable reasons he was not given the time, rightfully dueto Vicar General of Calcutta Archdiocese. So much so even the audio was not coming through as he frantically tried to put his point across. A big letdown, I must say, by the interviewer to call an eminent person for interview, obliterate him and give more mileage to the likes of Dr Subramanian Swamy who know much less on Mother Teresa than Fr Dominic.
To come back to “Conversion” motive of Mother Teresa, if this was so, then by now Christianity would have reached double digits! How has its percentage gone down to 2.3% as per the latest Religion wise Census Report?
What one is deliberately failing to note that Conversion to Christianity is a lengthy voluntary process (unlike the forcible Ghar Wapasi). One has to undergo counselling, religious classes, study of holy books for at least six months before being certified conversion-ready. Before being converted one has to fill up a standard form which states that conversion to Christianity is of one’s free will and not from any influence / coercion. This signed document is sent to the Bishop/ Archbishop to counter any future questions on forcible conversion. In this context we must note what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday 17th February 21, 2015 in Delhi at a function organised to celebrate elevation of two Indian saints – Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia. Modi said, "Everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence. My government will not allow any religious group, belonging to majority or minority to incite hatred against others overtly or covertly," he told the gathering where Cardinal George Alenchery and Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto were present.
Also had Mother Teresa's motive behind her service been conversion of those who were cast aside and uncared by Mohan Bhagwat and his rabbles, then her Missionaries of Charity organization would have closed down after her death. On the contrary, is has expanded to 700+ houses all over the world, as disclosed by Sunita Kumar during the interview. Can this happen if conversion and not service was the motive?
In another interview Ms Kumar said that Mr Bhagwat was welcome to visit any of Mother Teresa's centres. "If he wants to, the Missionaries of charity would be happy to show him around. If they asked me, I could show him around."
Most of the domestic donations including properties are made by non-Christians. Would they do this if they saw any ulterior motive of Mother Teresa?
It is pointless to attack a person (now declared Blessed by the Vatican) who is no more to answer all these charges which are unfounded and only intended to tear the fabric of religious harmony which India has been practising for ages?
It is now evident that the Indian Church would come under increasing scanner of RSS, VHS and also the social mediaon various issues. By being involved in public service, it has to accept it is not above questioning. It would therefore make sense if CBCI, as the head of Social Communications, trains a Crisis Management Team which would be ready with proper facts and figures including transparency and accountability in matters of donation."
Isaac Harold Gomes
Member – ICPA
