Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Mother Teresa
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The process of canonisation, through which the Catholic Church declares a person a saint, attracts worldwide attention, especially when it involves personalities who have worked extensively in India. In 2016, Pope Francis declared an internationally known figure, famous for her service to the poor in India, as a saint. This question checks whether you can correctly recall which of the listed individuals was canonised in that particular year.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Mother Teresa, also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary who founded the Missionaries of Charity and dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor in India. She was canonised by Pope Francis on 4 September 2016. Sister Alphonsa (Saint Alphonsa) and Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara were canonised earlier, years before 2016. Mary Euphrasia is not the one associated with the 2016 event in widely reported news about India. Therefore, the correct option for sainthood conferred in 2016 is Mother Teresa.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Media coverage around 2016 often used the phrase "canonisation of Mother Teresa" and highlighted her as "Saint Teresa of Calcutta." Many competitive exam questions from that period focused on this event, making it a widely known fact. Additionally, if you recall that Sister Alphonsa was declared a saint in 2008 and Kuriakose Elias Chavara in 2014, the year 2016 clearly identifies Mother Teresa as the correct choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Confusion often arises because several Indian or India associated Catholic figures have been canonised in the last few decades. Without remembering the specific years, candidates may guess incorrectly. Another pitfall is to overlook the global news prominence that Mother Teresa's canonisation had compared to other events. Keeping a simple timeline of major canonisations related to India helps avoid such errors in exams.
Final Answer:
The personality who was conferred sainthood by Pope Francis in 2016 is Mother Teresa.
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