wfn.org | Mother Teresa

[Sheila MESA <smm@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches
Press Release
For Immediate Use
6 September 1997

MOTHER TERESA

Following the news of the death of Mother Teresa on 5 September 1997,
Dr Konrad Raiser, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches,
has paid this tribute:

"During her long life, Mother Teresa's service to the poor was an
exceptionally powerful witness.  Few have attracted the attention of the
world as Mother Teresa did.  Not only did she preach by word and deed
that everyone is of infinite value to God, she also persuaded others of
this vital fact, and to act upon it.

Those of Mother Teresa's order who continue selflessly to work with the
dying, the disabled and the sick are continual reminders of the need for
service to, and solidarity with, the poorest of the poor.

In a world where the gap between rich and poor continues to increase,
where millions are denied basic human rights and justice is a stranger to
entire nations, the world will honour the memory of Mother Teresa best
by its commitment to eradicate the greed and exploitation which creates,
for the majority of the world's peoples, so much suffering of body, mind
and soul."

**********
The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 330, in
more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions.  The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but
works cooperatively with the WCC.  The highest governing body is the
Assembly, which meets approximately every seven years.  The WCC
was formally inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.  Its staff is
headed by general secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church
in Germany.

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