The Surprising Way the United Nations Will Honor Mother Teresa
In celebration of the declaration of Mother Teresa as a saint on Sept. 4, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, together with ADF International, will host an exhibition dedicated to her words, witness and works at the U.N. Headquarters in New York September 6-9.
“Mother Teresa was a true advocate for the sanctity of life and the family,” said ADF International Executive Director Doug Napier. “Sometimes she used words to present her ideas, but her actions and example spoke louder than her words. She acted faithfully and relentlessly. It is this passion that makes her a great role model for anyone working with or at the United Nations.
“Making sure that people like Mother Teresa are permitted to live out their faith and impact the world in a positive way should be a priority for all nations,” Napier said. “This exhibit and conference, taking place at the heart of the U.N., should remind us of her wisdom, her outstanding work and her radical love for every human being, the poor, the sick, the unborn, and the dying.”
U.N. Secretary General Pérez de Cuéllar introduced the Catholic nun before her speech in front of the General Assembly in 1985 by saying “Mother Teresa is the United Nations” to illustrate that she embodied what the U.N.’s mission is supposed to be.
The week-long exhibition will culminate with the conference, which will feature an international array of speakers, including some of those closest to her. They will focus on aspects of her life and work, such as caring for the poorest of the poor, advocating for peace and leaving no one behind.