WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 6, 2010 (Zenit.org).- A Mother Teresa postal stamp goes on sale this week in the United States to commemorate the 100th anniversary of her birthday.
On Sunday, the 13th anniversary of the death of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, the stamp was unveiled in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Although groups such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation tried to oppose the initiative, over 146,000 people signed a petition organized by CatholicVote.org Civic Action in favor of honoring the nun.
Brian Burch, president of the action group, stated, «We thank the United States Postal Service for honoring the 100th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s birth with this beautiful stamp.»
He acknowledged, «Our petition in support of the stamp struck a chord because Mother Teresa continues to serve as an inspiration for people today.»
Burch continued, «CatholicVote.org is now calling on Americans to honor the life of this saintly and heroic woman by purchasing Mother Teresa stamps this week.»
He thanked the postal service for holding the unveiling ceremony on Sunday in the basilica, noting that he is «glad» they «could make an exception for their ‘Never on Sunday’ rule,» thereby honoring the death anniversary of the nun.
«The postal service also understands that having the ceremony here at this beautiful basilica doesn’t mean that the United States government is suddenly Roman Catholic,» Burch added.
He affirmed: «Mother Teresa was proudly Roman Catholic, and her religious faith clearly inspired her charity.
«However, her service to the world is universally recognized as worthy of acclaim. We are glad that the postal service recognizes that her Catholic faith does not disqualify her from the receiving honors such as this. To do so would constitute a gross form of religious discrimination.»
The stamp features portrait of Mother Teresa painted by Thomas Blackshear II of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and can be bought in blocks of 4, 10 and 20.
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To order the stamp: https://shop.usps.com/
