Fear of vandals made mother's burial a private affair

Mother Teresa's body was buried at Mother House not only because it was more private, but also to avoid the grave being vandalised.

The grave would not have been safe from vandals, Archbishop of Calcutta Henry D'Souza said earlier this week.

"You are aware of vandalism at Christian cemeteries in Calcutta. We are relieved that Mother's grave will be safe and open to the public,'' Archbishop D'Souza said.

He said he had not specifically mentioned the matter to the state government. "Everyone in Calcutta knows about this," he added.

However, Sister Nirmala, superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, said that Mother Teresa was buried at her order's headquarters, instead of a cemetery, because that was her wish and her order's. Explained Sister Nirmala,"This is the place she loved to be. Wherever she went, she always wanted to come back here. We want Mother in our own house, and she wanted to be in her own home."