Goa Deputy CM to participate in Mother Teresa canonisation ceremony

Panaji, Aug 29 (IANS) Goa Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza on Monday said he would be part of a government delegation participating in the canonisation ceremony of Mother Teresa in Vatican City, and described the Albanian missionary as a "Saint of the poor".

Speaking to reporters at the State Secretariat, D'Souza said Teresa was a perfect example of a good Christian and that she was one of the few global personalities, who was adulated across the world, across sections and religious divides.

"I have been invited by the honourable Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to join her delegation to go to Rome for the canonisation of Mother Teresa on September 4 and I have accepted the invitation," D'Souza said.

"Mother Teresa has been always a perfect example of Christianity. For example, in Christianity you have to love thy neighbour as thyself. That is the ultimate in Christianity. So she has been taking care of the needy and the people who have been disowned by society," D'Souza said.

D'Souza, one of the most prominent Christian leaders in the Goa BJP, said that the speed with which the canonisation process had been conducted, was ample proof of how loved she was across the world.

"I feel it is accepting the fact that, while living she was accepted as a saint. And this is a tribute by the Church to accept her as a saint within a few years of her death, which is not generally done. This is the fastest canonisation which is taking place in the church," D'Souza said.