Voice Of The Daily Mirror: Not a saint but a force for good.

THE case against making Mother Teresa a saint is argued so powerfully by Christopher Hitchens that it is hard to disagree.

Some aspects of her life were hardly saintly. Yet she was a remarkable woman who had the best intentions and lived a humble life.

Although Hitchens questions what the millions she raised were used for, none of it was diverted for her own gain.

It is true that she was a master at using modern publicity techniques. But if that is done for good, so what?

Princess Diana used her self-promotional skills to fight for causes she held dear, including the campaign to rid the world of land mines.

Mother Teresa did the same. She raised awareness of the plight of some of the world's most disadvantaged people.

Does this mean she deserves to become a saint? Certainly she is more worthy than some recent candidates, especially the founder of the nasty Opus Dei organisation.

History may judge that Mother Teresa's worst fault was her strong defence of the Roman Catholic dogma on contraception and abortion, which is responsible for much misery, suffering and poverty.

Yet if the only standard by which people can qualify for sainthood is that they had to be perfect, no one would.

Mother Teresa had her faults. But she was a symbol for good in a world where that quality is too rare.