Hitchens' problem
Sir: Nigel Spivey wrote a searching review on Christopher Hitchens' book on Mother Teresa (Books, 11 November). Mother Teresa might be quite wrong on some issues, such as the use of artificial contraception, but she can still be a model of charity in practice. That is really infuriating, not only for the secular humanist but for the more progressive and modern Christian (Roman, Anglican or whatever) who admires her work but deplores some of her views. We should make this important distinction, and not fall into the error of thinking that if some of her ideas are reactionary, then she is in league with the far Right and must be involved in some shady business.
It should come as no surprise that an old nun, brought up years before Vatican should be such a traditionalist. Her theology is often shabby and flaccid, with no serious consideration of the theodicy except for a belief that we must love the suffering because in them we find Christ; a noble sen- timent that she seems to live out. Hence the awe surrounding her. She loves to the last drop. It is as simple as that, and people warm to her. People I know who have worked with her are all convinced she is genuine, as was Bob Geldof, that great unwashed. This venom-spitting, obscenity- wielding do-gooder who loved to root out hypocrisy and throw it in your face, remarked, after meeting Mother Teresa, `There was no false modesty about her and there was a certainty of purpose which left her little patience. But she was totally selfless; every moment her aim seemed to be, how can I use this or that situation to help others? She is one of the few people who have impressed me on sight. I was in awe of her.'
The real problem with Christopher Hitchens' diatribe against her is that it is so biased. It shows the typical weakness of the modern liberal who exalts calm, human rea- son as the final arbiter. Life doesn't work like that, and humans have their irrational and dark side which cannot be wished away. Good religion helps us to express deep yearnings, whether through cathedral choirs, the laying on of hands, rosaries or tongue speaking. Bad religion unleashes the dark side as does bad politics or anything else that abuses power and emotions. Hitchens does not like religion; it makes him wince. That is his problem, not Mother Teresa's.
The Reverend Kevin O'Donnell
74 Fernbank Grove, North Ascot Berkshire
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