Posted on 10/15/2003 3:01:55 PM PDT by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - As medical personnel removed Terri Schindler Schiavo's feeding tube Wednesday afternoon, the Florida woman's family and supporters held a prayer vigil outside the hospice where her husband, Michael Schiavo has received court permission to end her life.
Randall Terry, president of the Society for Truth and Justice and founder of the pro-life group Operation Rescue, made the announcement that everyone in the crowd had hoped they would not hear.
"As you know, it's two o'clock now and, according to the judge's order, this is the time in which the feeding tube is to be removed," Terry explained. "One of the problems is, we don't know if the family is going to be able to go in."
Despite a letter from one of Michael Schiavo's attorneys guaranteeing access under certain conditions, the Schindlers feared they would not be able to be present with their daughter when the tube was removed, or to stay with her until her death.
Terry began the prayer session by asking God to comfort the woman who is expected to die of dehydration, starvation or a combination of the two within ten days to two weeks.
"She's your child, Father, and, as much as we love her, it's nothing compared to how much you love her, Lord," Terry prayed. "Lord, God, be with her at this time."
Terry also prayed for Robert and Mary Schindler and the rest of Terri's family and friends who gathered near her hospice, hoping that Florida Gov. Jeb Bush would order the state Department of Children and Family Services to intervene.
"We pray for Jeb Bush, help him, Lord," Terry interceded. "Father I pray that he finds the strength and the courage in his heart to know that, one day, we all have to stand before our maker and answer for what we've done on this earth."
The latest public comment from Gov. Bush's office indicated he would take no action.
Schiavo's attorney, Deborah Bushnell, told CNSNews.com Wednesday afternoon that her client was trying to accommodate the Schindlers' desire to be with their daughter by having someone present in Terri's room 24 hours a day.
"Whether he'll accomplish that or not, I don't know, but we should come pretty close," Bushnell said. "So, the Schindlers should be able to visit anytime they want as long as we're able to have coverage and we're attempting to have full coverage."
Schiavo is exercising his option under a March 24, 2000 court order to forbid the Schindlers from entering Terri's room without him or an authorized representative present to supervise them.
E-mail a news tip to Jeff Johnson.
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I consider myself to be at least somewhat religious, and like to think there is another dimension awaiting me.
I think that sequence of events would be a sign that the Alpha and the Omega is calling me home. I think this woman's immediate and extended family likely need prayers as well, and the truth of it is, they will be joining her soon enough.
I don't think there is anything dignified about living strictly through a tube. I guess I don't want anyone sending me along my way with an overdose of morphine. At the same time I don't want to use everlasting artificial means of extending the inevitable either.
This is all such a haunting question, and I don't even know if this case is a proper vehicle for discussing it.
Have a judge somewhere subpoena Terri outside of Greer's jurisdiction? Announce that if any malfeasance is demonstrated against Judge Greer, causing his orders to be illegitimate, he and others will be charged with conspiracy to commit murder? I dunno, but the treatment of Terri has been criminal, and there's a lot of criminal behavior which her death and cremation could not erase.
If Terri wanted to be die, or thought she was 'being called home', she'd already be dead. For someone in her condition to survive an infection without antibiotics suggests that she's fighting hard to live. My personal belief is that she knows her husband tried to murder her, and wants more than anything to live to tell the tale.
There are three police officers in Terri's room.
This is why I hesitated to comment on this. I didn't know any of the underlying facts in the case.
And they should be. These people are doing just what the death mongers knew they would do> NOTHING!
To continue to confront such vile actions with nothing more than prayer makes a mockery of Christianity.
Even the martyrs fed to the lions were not passive. They gave up their lives willingly, rather than renounce their faith. They were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their faith.
What courage or what sacrifice is required to stand around and to nothing but sob and pray? NONE
They are just trying to rationalize their impotence in the face of evil.
They hide behind prayer so they won't have to act. After al, if they actually did something it might have consequences.
I know this sounds cold hearted and harsh but as Jesus said "greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friend".
If you are not willing to do that you are nothing but a sideshow providing amusement for those who will destroy you. Make no mistake, If you will never act, they will destroy you.
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