Yikes, sorry I pinged you this anti-Catholic article. I didnt realize Santa Teresa de Avila was a bone of contention between Catholics and Protestants. I always thought she was kind of cool myself. My Spanish literature professor at Pitt, who was a renowned Latin American scholar, revered her.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2100165/posts?page=13#13
I think Desdemona has it right. Check out her post.
Actually, I didn't either.
But, there's a difference between BEING a mystic, where the visions come without praying for them as in the case of St. Teresa, and practicing "mysticism".
St. Ignatius Loyola of the 16th century, also a doctor of the church, founded the Jesuits AFTER the Spanish Inquisition (which was a government move in the 15th century in truth). Most of his spiritual formation was actually in France and the main thrust of the SJs has always been to teach with military like discipline. After all, Ignatius Loyola was an army man. His spiritual exercises are all about mental discipline and ordering the mind.
What is bothersome to me is that the great saints are taking it on the chin for their loyalty to the Church. If you notice, these two came after the protestant revolt. St. Francis Xavier is the same. Basically, the article says that their biographies are to be used as an example of why Catholics are wrong. In truth, these great saints should be shining examples of suffering and sacrifice for Christ.
I also think it would be better for the author to research enough to present correct facts of history.