INDIANAPOLIS–The legacy of Mother Teresa has become a topic of discussion in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District election.
Republican Chuck Dietzen is one of 15 Republicans who filed to run in the 5th Congressional District race after Congresswoman Susan Brooks announced her retirement last June.
In a political ad Dietzen posted to Youtube on April 2, Dietzen referenced an experience he had with Mother Teresa once during one of his trips to India in the late 1990s. That upset the Missionaries of Charity, an organization founded by Mother Teresa. An attorney claiming to represent that charity sent Dietzen a cease and desist letter, saying his campaign did not have the right to use Mother Teresa’s image, and under no circumstances would she have ever allowed her image to be used in a political campaign.
“This came from an attorney. There’s no letterhead and no evidence that he represents them now,” Dietzen said in an interview with IndyPolitics over the weekend.
Jim Bopp, a conservative lawyer, is representing Dietzen.
“Jim’s reached out (to that attorney) to make sure that, in fact, this is an issue with Missionaries of Charity, because I would never want to do anything against the wishes of Mother (Teresa). That was the greatest blessing of my life,” Dietzen said.
The attorney claiming to represent the Missionaries of Charity is Florida attorney Jim Towey. Dietzen says he couldn’t find proof that Towey represented the group.
“I’ve also mentioned St. Francis, Jesus, and God in my campaign and I haven’t heard from any of their attorneys,” Dietzen said.
The ad is still on Youtube. Bopp said the campaign is waiting to get more information from Towey before they take any action.
