19 March 2026
TO WHOMSOEVER THIS MAY CONCERN
I would be most grateful for your kind attention to a matter of great concern for us Missionaries of Charity. We have come to know that numerous organizations have been using Mother Teresa's name and image without permission and engaging in fundraising activities
The Missionaries of Charity are the only religious congregation founded by Mother Teresa who dedicated her life to the humble service of the poorest of the poor. She depended solely on Divine Providence and strictly forbade her name or image to be used in connection with fundraising as it was totally against her principles and conviction. The Missionaries of Charity in keeping with Mother Teresa's principles, do not fundraise but rely solely on Divine Providence in the form of freewill offerings of those who are moved to support our mission.
To safeguard the values which she upheld, Mother Teresa bequeathed in her last \\Till and Testament, and in numerous public statements, all rights related to the ownership or use of her name, image or writings to her successors in the office of the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity. She prohibited the use by any individual or organization of her name or image for any purpose without the express permission of the Missionaries of Charity. In her public statement on 14th October 1984, Mother Teresa clearly expresses her mind on the matter:
" ... it has happened quite often that the use of my name, even when it has involved the solicitation of funds for worthy charitable purposes, has conflicted with my religious beliefs and those of my Order. I have, therefore, strived to prevent the use of my name in those instances. I realise that there may be some who would seek to use my name after my death, and !feel strongly that the exclusive right to control the use of my name should be vested in my successor from time lo lime in the office of the Superior of the Missionaries of Charily This right is to be exercised in the absolute discretion of my successor, to the end that consent to the use of my name will be withheld or granted in accordance with the religious beliefs' which I have held in common with my Order and expressed during my lifetime. "
The misuse of Mother Teresa's name or likeness in promotional materials or appeals for donations misleads the public and violates the principles she embraced. Some organizations are staging lavish, media-covered ceremonies and functions in luxurious
settings at which awards in Mother Teresa's name are conferred on individuals and groups. Such extravagance runs totally counter to the spirit of poverty, humility and simplicity as lived by Mother Teresa.
The Missionaries of Charity and Mother Teresa's genuine followers are deeply pained by the abuse of Mother Teresa's name, image, words and persona by individuals and groups who employ these methods to gain money and recognition on websites and social media platforms. Since this abuse has gone on so long and so far and in spite of many communications and wa1nings are continuing, we as an organization have finally decided to take legal action against some organizations. We, therefore, advise all organizations who are using Mother Teresa's name in the title of their organizations without our express written permission, or are using Mother Teresa's name or that of the Missionaries of Charity for their promotional and fundraising activities, to immediately cease and desist and rename their organizations. This will give due honour to her wishes and supprt the Missionaries of Charity. May her life of sanctity and her message continue to inspire all of us in humble and loving service.
God bless you,
Sr. M. Joseph MC
Superior General
Having seen the above letter and recognizing the gravity of the matter stated therein, I hereby endorse it and earnestly recommend that it be widely disseminated by those in positions of authority, and that due attention be given to the Will of St. Teresa of Calcutta, popularly known as Mother Teresa.
Given at Archbishop's House, 32 Mother Teresa Sarani, 700 016 - Kolkata, on the 19th day of March, in the year 2026.
Most Rev. Elias Frank Archbishop of Calcutta
