If this was about the patients, I’d agree.

I’m not so sure about the nuns though. I’d want to hear more. Nuns take vows, depending upon their order. The vows are meant as a commitment to a life in the service of Christ and to develop spiritual maturity and enlightenment through acts of service, charity, compassion, and sometimes poverty.

So, bathing in cold water is uncomfortable, but it’s not going to kill you, even in the Bronx. It’s not the same as long term exposure to freezing water with no access to heat after exposure or warm dry clothing.

Had these Nuns behaved in a manner that their Superior felt they needed a lesson on humility? Or compassion? Was part of their vow, one of poverty? Was the no hot water rule meant to preserve limited hot water for those who needed it most? Hot water heater tanks only hold so much—amongst how many did that amount have to be shared? Was this a lesson, to learn by experience how people without the means of convenience have to go about daily tasks? Did the rule completely forbid them from hot water, or could they make their own? Was this an act of contrition? Instead of 3 Hail Mary’s, no hot water for 2 weeks? Was this a permanent rule or a temporary one?

I make no judgements here. I don’t think Nuns sign up to be mistreated, that’s not supposed to be part of the gig. That said, true spiritual enlightenment does not come from a place of perpetual comfort and ease. Or untested self reflection. More failures than successes. Those things are part of the gig. Literally, by covenant vow.

Ultimately, the use of Nuns having to take a cold water sink bath is hardly a good choice as evidence of Mother Teresa’s supposed corruption. It just comes across as petty gossip.