So it turns out that Mother Teresa, the paradigm of Christian charity, had doubts about her faith. What do we conclude from this? Well, based on media coverage I’ve seen, we’re to understand that Mother Teresa was some kind of hypocrite. Because, Lord knows, you just can’t have doubts and call yourself a Christian.

Doesn’t anyone read the Bible these days? Doubt is an integral part of the Christian experience, so much so that we see it in the life of the ultimate Christian exemplar, Jesus. Gethsemane and the cries from the cross aren’t just empty scenes in a kabuki Passion play; they’re real, human responses to the cruelty of the world. If Mother Teresa struggled with belief and continued her good work anyway, then she’s in good company.