Love and Charity Above All (Terri Schiavo Editorial from Puerto Rico)

El Vocero de Puerto Rico (Spanish-language editorial) ^ | March 26, 2005 | Editorial

[Ebenezer]

(English-language translation)

International public opinion is in consternation over the position taken by the husband of [Mrs.] Terri Schiavo who, despite efforts by the young woman's parents, is not willing to accede to what mankind considers an act of absolute charity towards a human being who cannot defend her life on her own.

What is surprising about all of this is that Schiavo's husband maintains the position of removing her feeding tube despite Pope John Paul II's statements as to the obligation we all have to protect the lives of the disabled, especially the lives of those who cannot take care of themselves.

The case of this young woman has become a symbol of the obligation we all have to preserve and protect the lives of others, to the extreme that the Congress of the United States, an institution which represents the greatest democracy, legislated in favor of Schiavo's parents' having recourse to federal court to seek aid to keep their daughter alive, legislation that President George [W.] Bush signed into law immediately.

Unfortunately, the federal courts that have intervened following approval of the bill in question have been unable to find a legal foundation to intervene in the case by recognizing that Terri Schiavo's husband has the final word regarding her life.

The case may be that Terri's husband believes that he is acting in accordance with God's law, since that is an inalienable right he has. We, however, ask how this person can make a decision which will result in ending the life of another human being who cannot express herself about her wishes, and we also ponder how this man, who maybe thinks he is acting in good faith and for the young woman's welfare, is not moved by the pleas of political and religious leaders, not only on account of their rank, but on account of the prestige they enjoy throughout the world.

During this week when Christianity celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we join in the prayers of millions that Terri Schiavo's husband will be enlightened as to see the existence of a human being with love and charity.

[Glacier Honey]

I heard his brother say on NBC that his brother was a devout catholic and didn't believe in divorce. He then said Michael wanted to remarry in the catholic church and could not if he was divorced.