Kolkata, Nov 13 (IANS) For the first time, a cathedral in West Bengal has been co-named after Nobel laureate Mother Teresa, a nun who made Kolkata her home and workplace for 68 years caring for the poor and the infirm, and Mother Mary.
The Roman Catholic cathedral, inaugurated at Baruipur of neighbouring South 24-Parganas district in West Bengal Thursday, has Mother Mary as the first patron and Mother Teresa as the second patron, according to vicar general of Baruipur diocese, Father Anil Mitra.

“This is the first cathedral in the world where she is the co-patroness,” said Bishop of Bauipur Salvadore Lobo.

The Cathedral of Immaculate Heart of Mary and Blessed Teresa, located inside the Bishop’s House, has a small statue of Mother Teresa made by Subroto Ganguly, said Mitra.

The Archbishop of Kolkata, Lucas Sircar inaugurated the Cathedral in the presence of Sister Prema, Superior-General of Mother Teresa founded Missionaries of Charity.

Mother Teresa, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, came to Kolkata in 1929 and founded the Roman Catholic religious order that now has over 4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries. It runs six centres in the city.

After her death on Sept 5, 1997, Mother Teresa was laid to rest at the Mother House, the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity.

She was beatified (declared “Blessed”) at a ceremony at the Vatican on October 19, 2003.