Celebrations for Mother Teresa, Empire State Building not participating

Written by Tom Beasley in News at June 10, 2010

On what would have been Mother Teresa’s 100th birthday, locations around the world are celebrating. The Empire State Building, however, upon request declined to help celebrate the festivities by lighting the building (the building has special lights at the top to commemorate special events). Bill Donahue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights says that this is a “mind boggling” decision. The ultimate decision rests upon the private corporation that owns the building. Mother Teresa has been an icon for peace and compassion for many in the world — Christopher Hitchens, however, called her “the Ghoul of Calcutta.” He even appeared in front of the Church during her beatification process to protest her sacred quality. You can read one of his complaints here. He also produced a film Hell’s Angel, which contained a thorough criticism of her practices and especially her actual impact in the region, rather than what is perceived by the Western world.