Free Republic

"...However, together with Pope Francis and in light of the discussions at the recent Extraordinary Synod on the Family held in Rome, I also recognize that the reality of the family today, in all its complexities, presents the church with pastoral challenges as the church strives to accept people in the specific circumstances of their lives and support and encourage them in their search for God and their desire to be members of the church. Therefore, I do not wish to lend our voice to notions which might suggest that same-sex couples are a threat incapable of sharing relationships marked...

Vatican, Mar. 07 (CWNews.com) - With a deadline looming for the removal of food and water from a brain-damaged Florida woman, the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has asked: "How can anyone who claims to speak of the promotion and protection of rights-- of human life-- remain silent?" Cardinal Renato Martino (bio - news) observed, in a March 7 public statement, that if feeding tubes are removed from Terri Schiavo, "She will die a horrible and cruel death." With a court-ordered date for the removal of those tubes quickly approaching, the cardinal asked: "How then have...

Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International (LDI), today blasted the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC) for "a cold and feeble response to the plight of Terri Schindler Schiavo and those like her." " The FCC issued a statement that addressed Presumption for Nutrition and Hydration: "The Catholic community begins discussions regarding the withdrawal and withholding of artificial nutrition and hydration with a presumption in favor of their provision. However, when the burdens exceed the benefits of providing them, they may be withdrawn or withheld. We note that what is too burdensome for one person may not be too burdensome...