The Intrepid plans to honor Mother Teresa on Aug. 26, what would have been the nun's 100th birthday.
Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20100615/midtown-west-hells-kitchen/uss-intrepid-light-up-honor-of-mother-teresa#ixzz0r6Zlsww7
Posted on 06/17/2010 3:31:34 AM PDT by NYer
The iconic museum announced yesterday it would glow in blue and white on Aug. 26 to honor Mother Teresa on what would have been her 100th birthday -- a tribute the Empire State Building has refused to make, sparking fury across the city.
"We'd be thrilled to represent what Mother Teresa has done in terms of public service. We are the essence of public service. We give back every day," said Susan Marenoff, executive director of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
She refused to criticize Empire State Building owner Anthony Malkin, who has been criticized by Catholic groups and politicians throughout the five boroughs for denying a request to light his skyscraper in the colors of the late nun's order.
Marenoff contacted City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has taken up this cause, after hearing news reports about the Empire State Building controversy.
Malkin last week issued a statement attributing his decision to a policy of not lighting the building for religious or political events.
"Every venue has the right to decide what is appropriate for them. I think it is appropriate and very relevant for us," Marenoff said.
The aircraft carrier museum is illuminated red, white and blue most nights, so the staff will simply replace their red lighting with additional blue and white lights.
Quinn, who has tried to no avail to persuade Malkin to change his mind, said his refusal has inspired New Yorkers, with more than 400 joining a Facebook page she set up to commemorate Mother Teresa.
"The message here is that New Yorkers are inspired to do everything they can with the power and resources they have to spread the message of Mother Teresa," Quinn said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20100615/midtown-west-hells-kitchen/uss-intrepid-light-up-honor-of-mother-teresa#ixzz0r6Zlsww7
"The message here is that New Yorkers are inspired to do everything they can with the power and resources they have to spread the message of Mother Teresa," Quinn said.
"We're not going to let one individual's rejection of that stand in the way of the rest of the city embracing this message."
She said it is "disappointing that the most iconic building in the city won't be part of this."
The Post yesterday reported that the 14-story Hutchinson Metro Center in The Bronx also will light up blue and white on Aug. 26.
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A GOVERNMENT-OWNED SHIP HONORING A RELIGIOUS WOMAN? ZOMG THIS VIOLATES SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE! WE'RE SUING!
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ping
Anthony Malkin, owner of the Empire State Building, said the company would light up the landmark in honor of religious days, but not religious people like Mother Teresa.
June 10, 2010
Catholic League president Bill Donohue issued the following remarks today on the league's ongoing controversy with Anthony Malkin, the owner of the Empire State Building who denied Mother Teresa the honor of having the building towers shine blue and white on August 26, the 100th anniversary of her birthday:
Malkin said yesterday that he has a policy denying any tribute to religious individuals or organizations. As I pointed out yesterday, that didn't stop them from honoring John Cardinal O'Connor and Pope John Paul II when they died, nor did it stop a tribute to the Salvation Army on its 125th anniversary, or Rev. Martin Luther King last January. I have now learned that on April 25, 2009, the towers were aglow in blue and white in honor of the Salesian Sisters, an order of Roman Catholic nuns.
ping
Wonderful! Wonderful that the USS Intrepid and the Hutchinson center are showing the way. Hopefully even more will follow suit. Maybe Malkin’s rejection will bring even more attention to Mother Teresa than if he had just said yes.
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