Fr. Benedict Groeschel responds to critics of Mother Teresa

Not only is Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. (Ignatius Insight author page) a priest and noted author, he is a psychologist and a spiritual director who knew Mother Teresa personally. So who better to respond to some of the silly pseudo-psychoanalysis (emphasis on psycho in some cases) being performed on Mother Teresa by folks who likely know less about her, psychology, and Catholic spirituality than I do about the mating rituals of the Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly? From the First Things blog:

The unfortunate publicity and distortions to the point of calumny that have surrounded the publication of the book Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, edited by Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C., the postulator of her cause, have caused confusion to many and much pain to the Missionaries of Charity and their close friends. One leading newsmagazine even published a long article by Mother Teresa’s most severe and profane critic without any other commentary. The author attempted to psychoanalyze Mother Teresa’s experiences, which is both insulting and absurd. He never knew Mother, never had the chance to observe her behavior or life, and he has no serious training in psychology. As a psychologist who knew Mother Teresa for thirty years, I feel I must make some response to this absurdity and offer some helpful explanations for those who were surprised by the darkness revealed in Mother Teresa’s personal letters.

Although I was not privy to her spiritual darkness, and I never received the kind of letters from her that her spiritual directors received, I was well aware that there was a seriousness, even a somberness, about her. I assumed that this sorrow was occasioned by what happens every day in the world. When there were tragedies, she would talk about them and encourage us to turn trustingly to God to bring good out of evil.

During the thirty years when I knew Mother Teresa well, I never observed anything other than a tremendous faith and charity.

Read the entire article.

Related pages from IgnatiusInsight.com:

• Interview with Fr. Groeschel (June 2004)
• Excerpts from The Rosary: Chain of Hope
• The Church of Latter Day Sinners from Arise From Darkness

Fr. Groeschel's books published by Ignatius Press:
       
• The Drama of Reform
• Arise From Darkness: What to Do When Life Doesn't Make Sense
• The Reform of Renewal
• Rosary: The Chain of Hope
• Still Small Voice: A Practical Guide on Reported Revelations
• Praying To Our Lord Jesus Christ: Prayers and Meditations Through the Centuries 

Comments

[Ed Peters]

Ok, pet peeve time: Fr. G writes "...leading newsmagazine even published a long article by Mother Teresa’s most severe and profane critic..."

Well, who the h*ll is he talking about? I hate this. New Yorkers who think everybody lives and dies by the NY press, so we all know who published every article and where.

Same me a couple of minutes, and just tell me who you're talking about, NY writers.

[padraighh]

Father G. is referring tothe diatribe by Hitchens in Newsweek (online?) at the underlined phrase 'in some cases' above.

[Ed Peters]

Thx. I figured it was Hitch, but man, why doesn't G just say so. Like it's some great act of discretion not to mention that poor blighter's name. Thx, padr=.

[Carl Olson]

Good point, Ed. The more specifics in such articles/posts, the better. I say that in a general, vague, and entirely unspecific way, of course.

[Dan]

I disagree. When I first read it I thought it was an effective rhetorical device. Had Fr. Groeschel named Hitchens by name Fr. Groeschel's reference to Hithchens as "profane" would have sounded like name-calling. The way Fr. Groeschel wrote it he was able to expose Hitchens for what he is without descending into the mud.

[Carl Olson]

I like mud. ;-) But a good point, Dan. Now I'm starting to be conflicted. Regardless, great post by Fr. Groeschel, who is one of my heroes.

[Ed Peters]

No, Dan. This is my point, when a man publishes his (vile) opinion in a major media outlet, it is inappropriate NOT to name him personally. Maybe, indeed, even it is condescending, as if he doesn't deserve express mention. This reticence to name names, even public names, is a misapplication of the virtue of "custody of the tongue". If CH had ranted aabout MT in a private conversation with me, I might not gone around saying "GUESS WHAT CH SAID ABOUT MT!!" But CH published his views widely. NOT to name him is a hollow exercise in delicacy.

[Greg Lorriman]

Carl, it's bad news for a clergyman to get involved in a slanging match, which is what would be risked if he named the guy. It may be appropriate to name the guy, but it's not clearly the case that it is innapropriate not to name him, and it is quite possibly inappropriate for a clergyman to name him.

[Ed Peters]

Well, ok, folks is gonna feel like folks is gonna feel on this one. I'd only point out, tho, that G did not just "mention" CH indirectly, he said at least half a dozen things about him: that [CH] is MT's "most severe and profane critic", that he "attempted to psychoanalyze Mother Teresa", that his actions were "both insulting and absurd", that "he never knew Mother", that he "never had the chance to observe her behavior or life", and that "he has no serious training in psychology".

If those things are NOT true, it is no defense to saing them that "I didn't use the guy's name". If they are true, then...but here I only repeat myself.

[Carl Olson]

Carl, it's bad news for a clergyman to get involved in a slanging match, which is what would be risked if he named the guy.

It doesn't seem the case at all that naming Hitchens would any way start a mud-slinging match. Stating that Mr. X said this or that is not a bad thing, especially if the goal is to clarify matters and defend the truth. We may well be overanalyzing the issue, but there is a difference between getting into verbal fistacuffs and calling a spade a spade. Having been around Father Groeschel on three or four occasions, I know that he has no problem calling spades what they are. As to why he didn't name Hitchens in his post, I have no idea, but I really doubt it was out of a concern for offending folks or appearing uncharitable.

[Ken Hopper]

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Saint Catherine of Siena Parish
http://victoriapendragon.org/