As previously reported, Empire State Building officials have denied a request to commemorate Mother Teresa's 100th birthday (on August 26, 2010) with blue and white lights. Since the refusal, the Catholic League has waged a campaign to seek reversal of the decision. The following are some recent updates on the situation...
* An unlikely ally has been found in (openly homosexual) New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has backed the effort to honor Mother Teresa for her humanitarian work, calling her a "wonderful woman who has given so much to the world." She said in an interview that "The question of why the building will not be lit is a question that deserves answering", and she has also contacted representatives of the Empire State Building and "urged them to try to find a way to light the building."
* A Catholic League online petition has reportedly received over 30,000 signatures in support of the special lighting. CL has also reportedly received support from bishops and some 10,000 members.
* There has been some discussion in NYC of forcing(!) the Empire State Building to light up in honor of Mother Teresa via a resolution, even though the building is privately owned.
* Originally, an explanation was not given for the refusal. However, a recent statement by the building's owner claims they have a "specific policy against any other lighting for religious figures or requests by religions and religious organizations." CL disputes this claim noting that "When John Cardinal O'Connor died in 2000, the Empire State Building was lighted in red and white; in 2005, when Pope John Paul II died, the tower lights were extinguished in his honor", and CL also notes that the lights were changed in 2005 for a Protestant group as well as being changed annually for a prominent Baptist leader.
* CL now plans to call off their petition drive, but they will hold a demonstration outside the Empire State Building on August 26.
Reportedly, the building's owners have received thousands of petitions to reverse their decision not to honor the Nobel Peace Prize winning nun with a lighting display - a lighting display that has been granted in the past for "the anniversary of communist China, the introduction of blue M & M's, dog shows, Mariah Carey, and Hanukkah." For now at least, it appears that the decision will stand.
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