.......Last Rites Given
As judges at the local, federal and state Supreme Court levels considered and rejected attempts to block the feeding tube's removal, the Schindlers sat by their daughter's bedside while Monsignor Thaddeus Malanowski administered the last rites of the Catholic Church, the priest reported afterward.
Circuit Judge George Greer, who has repeatedly ordered the feeding tube's removal based on his findings at a 2000 nonjury trial, had granted special permission for Terri Schiavo to receive communion via her feeding tube prior to its removal.
Malanowski said he anointed Schiavo with holy oil, then used an eye dropper to transfer a few droplets of consecrated wine into the feeding tube.
``Everybody was calm and peaceful,'' the priest said. ``I thought the mother [Mary Schindler] might faint but no, the mother was strong until just a half-hour ago.''
Shortly before 1:45 p.m., almost an hour after the tube was supposed to be removed, hospice officials asked Mary Schindler and other family members to leave so the removal could take place, Malanowski said.
Michael Schiavo, who was with his wife when the tube was removed once before in 2003, found the prospect of being with her again too upsetting, so he didn't join her until after the procedure was over, said his attorney, George Felos.
Those present included Terri Schiavo's physician and a number of hospice workers, Felos said.
``It was a very calm, peaceful procedure with a degree of emotion, and those there felt the need to pray,'' Felos said.
The Schindlers did not learn the tube had been removed until about 3:30 p.m., when Mary Schindler ``broke down'' from the pressure, Malinowski said.
Minutes later, the Schindlers slipped one-by-one into a relative's car and drove away unnoticed by most of the crowd. ............
http://www.tampatribune.com/MGBCBB3DH6E.html
CW, as things that have ever made me angry go, this is at the top of the list.
That's heartbreaking, CW, simply a heartbreaking story. God Bless Terri's Mother and her Dad.
Felos thinks he's god almighty.
Dear Father in Heaven - Please intervene and stop this killing of your innocent daughter. In Jesus Christ's Name, Amen.