Posted on 03/22/2005 11:59:19 PM PST by NYer
Theologian Points Up a Key Problem in Florida Battle
ROME, MARCH 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Unless U.S. justice steps in to save her, Terri Schiavo's agony will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the encyclical "Evangelium Vitae," which warned of an encroaching "culture of death."
In that 1995 document John Paul II wrote "on the value and inviolability of human life," particularly in the last phases of existence.
"The Schiavo case demonstrates that that document was prophetic," said Legionary of Christ Father Thomas Williams, dean of theology at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome.
"The Holy Father coined the expression 'culture of death' to refer to the tendency of modern society to depreciate the inviolable dignity of human life," he told ZENIT. "The Schiavo case illustrates Pope John Paul's concerns that human persons would be valued more for their utility and 'quality of life' than for their inherent worth."
In fact, the Holy Father wrote in No. 64 of the encyclical: "Here we are faced with one of the more alarming symptoms of the 'culture of death,' which is advancing above all in prosperous societies, marked by an attitude of excessive preoccupation with efficiency and which sees the growing number of elderly and disabled people as intolerable and too burdensome."
Father Williams added that the problem in the Schiavo case is being posed incorrectly.
"It's not a question of Terri's parents being right and Terri's husband wrong," he said. "The problem lies in giving anyone the power over another's life.
"Society must not permit that a person's life or death hang in the balance because of the way others feel about them. All human life must be defended and protected in law, not for what it means to others, but for what it is in itself."
John Paul II signed the encyclical "Evangelium Vitae" on March 25, 1995, the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
In his document, the Pope explains that euthanasia "in the strict sense is understood to be an action or omission which of itself and by intention causes death, with the purpose of eliminating all suffering."
It must be distinguished, he writes, "from the decision to forgo so-called 'aggressive medical treatment,' in other words, medical procedures which no longer correspond to the real situation of the patient, either because they are by now disproportionate to any expected results or because they impose an excessive burden on the patient and his family."
Father Williams observed: "That distinction is subtle but extremely important from a moral perspective."
"The case of Terri Schiavo has nothing to do with disproportionate means to keep a person alive at all costs, regardless of the suffering such measures provoke," the dean of theology said. "Here we are talking about the most basic care consisting of hydration and nutrition. Terri is not terminally ill, but the removal of her feeding tube will effectively kill her by starvation."
In "Evangelium Vitae" the Holy Father condemns euthanasia in the strongest terms.
"Taking into account these distinctions, in harmony with the Magisterium of my Predecessors," the Pope writes, "and in communion with the Bishops of the Catholic Church, I confirm that euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God, since it is the deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person. This doctrine is based upon the natural law and upon the written word of God, is transmitted by the Church's Tradition and taught by the Ordinary and universal Magisterium."
"Pope John Paul II encourages us to call things by their names," said Father Williams. "And euthanasia, regardless of the motives behind it, always means homicide: the deliberate elimination of an innocent human life."
Moreover, the priest continued, "if killing another person with his consent is always morally wrong, doing so without his consent adds a further evil to the act. In 1995, the Holy Father warned against those who would arrogate to themselves the authority to decide who would live and who would die. He reminded us that this authority belongs to God alone."
The Pope writes in No. 66: "The choice of euthanasia becomes more serious when it takes the form of a murder committed by others on a person who has in no way requested it and who has never consented to it."
Father Williams commented: "The Holy Father not only pointed out the evils of the culture of death. He also indicated the way to an authentic culture of life.
"He encourages us to reaffirm our commitment to life and to stand in solidarity with those who suffer. When people realize that they are appreciated by society as someone precious and unrepeatable, rather than a burden to be carried, they often find the strength to bear their cross with joy."
The priest added: "Our Christian faith teaches us that suffering and death do not have the final word. Through his cross and resurrection Christ triumphed over death and won eternal life for us all."
Often disguised by the name "mercy killing," euthanasia also is a form of homicide. No person has a right to take his own life, and no one has the right to take the life of any innocent person.
In euthanasia, the ill or elderly are killed, by action or omission, out of a misplaced sense of compassion, but true compassion cannot include intentionally doing something intrinsically evil to another person (cf. EV 73).
EV John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life)
Terri Ping!
Date: 2005-03-22
Schiavo Facing a Cruel Death, Says Vatican Official
"Not Euthanasia in Literal Sense," Insists Bishop Sgreccia
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- A Vatican official assailed a U.S. court decision against Terri Schiavo, saying that the brain-damaged Florida woman is facing a "cruel" death.
Bishop Elio Sgreccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, said he heard with "disconcert and sadness" the news today that U.S. District Judge James Whittemore in Florida rejected the urgent request by Schiavo's parents to have her feeding tube reinserted.
Schiavo's husband has been fighting to end her nutrition in order to bring about her death. Her parents are appealing Whittemore's decision in a federal appeals court.
"I must confirm the moral judgment which does not change: It is an illicit and grave act," Bishop Sgreccia told Vatican Radio.
"It is especially grave, as it seems that the decision over a person's life or death today is a court issue," he said.
"Therefore, I confirm the negative judgment, not only on the fact that food has been taken away from her, but also on the decision that tries to legitimize such a thing. I hope that these examples will not be followed by other similar decisions," the prelate added.
Bishop Sgreccia explained that the decision of the U.S. justice "is not euthanasia in the literal sense of the term; it is not a 'good death,' it is a death that is induced in a cruel way. It is not a medical act. It is about taking water and food away to cause death."
"I think that those who have expressed solidarity with the family are doing an act of great merit," as well as those who have defended her publicly, he stressed.
The bishop criticized "a mechanism of exaggeration that seeks to favor the legitimization of so-called euthanasia, in cases such as this one in which interests of another kind are often at stake."
Bumping.
>>are not intrinsically evil when death is imminent<<
Terri's death was NOT imminent until her food and water were cut off. THAT IS EVIL!!!
Terri's death was NOT imminent until her food and water were cut off. THAT IS EVIL!!!
I wasn't referring to Terri.
I'm not Catholic, but I agree with the Pope on this one.
There it is again!
JP II: Love him. Obey him in all matters moral.
My name has been invoked on this thread in post 13 by one who seeks to bear false witness to my stance as a Catholic and my stance regarding Terri Schiavo.
This person is a liar who has been informed I will not speak to him, but I will not let a post stand unrefuted that seeks to smear my name.
One of my friends called the Right-to-Life Committee, and they said to call President Bush and tell him to put Terri in protective custody while the case is going thru the courts. His phone comment line # is 202-456-1414; e-mail president@whitehouse.gov. Please spread the word.
>>>the 10th anniversary of the encyclical "Evangelium Vitae," which warned of an encroaching "culture of death."
Oh, you mean George Soro's Project on Death in America rantmaking program that funds the Hemlock Society?
rantmaking program = grantmaking program
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