Open Letter to Gov Jeb Bush + Pix from Terri Schiavo's Vigil

Envoy Magazine Blog ^ | October 19, 2003 | Pete Vere

[NYer]

Dear Governor Bush:

As members of the Catholic media, we beg you, in the name of our Lord Jesus, to intervene in the case of Terry Schiavo, and, by extension, in the lives of the millions of persons with special needs in Florida and throughout our country whose lives will be greatly endangered if Ms. Schiavo is left to die, or, more accurately, murdered through the present withdrawal of food and water.

The judge in this case is acting on a remarkable doctrine: That food and water are medicines which may be granted or withheld based on a judicial order. What legal or moral authority gives anyone the right to withhold food and water from an innocent person? Starvation is a most painful and difficult death. If one were to propose it as a method of execution for death row prisoners, it would be instantly opposed by society under the Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. If starvation is cruel and unusual punishment, it should not have the imprimatur of the State of Florida for any innocent citizen.

We admire your seeking the assistance of the St. Thomas More Society concerning what is legally just. And we are strengthened in our hearts by their response that, at the very least, you have the authority and the duty to protect her life and to conduct a proper and thorough investigation. We appreciate the difficulty of this matter and that the right course of action before God may not be the popular one in today's culture.

The moral and just path, however, is clear to us who believe that human life is God's to give and His alone to take. History has shown the truth of the statement,  The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.  We would go a step further in saying that those who have the power to do good, and yet do nothing, participate in the triumph of evil, whether or not their withholding of the good seeks or intends such evil.

It may be that our Lord has put you into office, like Queen Esther of old,  for such a time as this . The God who saved Esther, and through her, the people of God, will not abandon you, dear Governor. He is faithful. May our Lord Jesus Christ be your comfort and guide in this urgent hour, and may you be His instrument to save the life of one of His  little ones , and through her, the dignity of every soul made in His image.

With gratitude and prayer,

Rosalind Moss,
Catholic Author and Speaker
 
Father Richard John Neuhaus
Editor in Chief, FIRST THINGS
The Institute on Religion and Public Life

Pete Vere, Editor
The Alhambran Magazine

Mark Shea
Catholic Author and Speaker

Philip F. Lawler
Editor, Catholic World Report and Catholic World News

Carl Olson
Editor, Envoy Magazine

John Pacheco
Catholic Author and Speaker

Domenico Bettinelli, Jr
Managing Editor, Catholic World Report magazine

Amy Welborn
Columnist, Our Sunday Visitor

Martin K. Barrack
Catholic Author and Speaker

David Pearson
Features Editor, National Catholic Register

Mike Mohr
Chairman, St. Bernadette Soubirous Chapter of Catholics United for Faith

Dave Armstrong
Catholic Author and Speaker

Gerald Korson
Editor, Our Sunday Visitor

Steve Ray
Catholic Author and Television Host

Rod Bennett 
Editor, WONDER Magazine

Matt C. Abbott
Columnist, the Wanderer

Tim Drake
Staff Writer, National Catholic Register

Dr. Paul Thigpen
Executive Director, The Stella Maris Center for Faith and Culture

Mary Kochan,
Contributing Editor, Catholic Exchange

Sandra Miesel
Catholic Journalist

David Moss
President, Association of Hebrew Catholics

Maureen and Robert Wittmann
Catholic authors and speakers

Steve Kellmeyer
Bridegroom Press

Mike Aquilina
Vice President, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

Mark Brumley
Catholic Author

Greg Popcak
Catholic Author and Radio Host

Patty Bonds
Catholic Author and Speaker

Jeff Cavins
Catholic Radio and Television Host

Fr. Joseph F. Wilson
Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I shake my head. Seniors living around me have been exposed to Derek Humphreys (sp?) and other right-to-kill advocates for years. These 'caring experts' peddle fear of pain to vulnerable seniors - along with guilt at being a burden on selfish children, a powerful combination.

George Felos, chief right-to-kill advocate, Michael's lawyer, star of Oprah and exploiter of the most helpless now mocks Terri's parents for going to desperate measures to prevent the slow starvation to death of their daughter and expects them to wait in the hall while silly people playing God murder their child.

Terri's precious life will change the world for the better, imho.

[kenth]

It's just so insane. At times, I still have trouble believing that it is happening.

Guardianship is to provide and protect those who cannot. In this matter, Judge Greer has sided with the guardian over his charge. The court and guardian should both be aligned with the best interest of the one to be protected. Starving someone to death is in no way her best interest, it's Michael Schiavo's who has a woman and children lined up waiting on what is left of the money. This man, after being married to Terri for only three years when she had her 'accident', is able to decide the fate over the parents.

"Oh, it's the law. Nothing we can do", sayeth the governor. Some leader, huh. "I'm just following orders", is that it Jeb? Don't forget that line when your time has come, maybe you can convince the Lord to overlook the rules in your case.

[isrul]

"The most serious is that Monsignor attempted to give Terri Holy Communion today, but was stopped by the police and the nursing staff. Although Monsignor was willing to be arrested, he was stopped by all present. This is a serious violation of Terri's First Ammendment rights."

Theyy're just upholding Greers orders. He considers it food.

There is no end to their depravity

Every update provides news that is more and more sickening.

I read the updates and I just cannot believe that this is happening in full public view.

As far as I am concerned, this government has lost any claim to legitamacy. It has become a monstrous killing machine.

Any comments suggesting that we must respect and abide by it's laws is nothing but drivel at this point. They have become morally and legally inferior to even the Nazis. Even the Nazis stopped the T-4 euthanasia program when public outcry gaainst it became to great. But nothing, it seems, can stop this government from this crime against humanity.

Make no mistake, Jeb Bush is part of it. His week kneed assertions that he is powerless don't hold any water.

His email to summer suggesting that what is really needed is more living wills is an insult to our intelligence.

Anyone who still beats the Jeb BUsh drum completely ignores all the legal opinions that have been provided and the Florida constitution.

[Theodore R.]

But Judge Geer should have step in and stopped this madness and he choose not to."

George W. Greer AUTHORIZED this madness, while the other officials of FL defer to him -- one of many state civil judges.

[Theodore R.]

What is "madness" to us is the FL "exit protocol" to the infamous George W. Greer.

Would those who defend Republicans without asking questions, still defend Greer if it were found out that he is "Republican"? I don't know his party label, but I think he is Democrat.

[Canadian Outrage]

My God Libby, the answer to this dilemma seems so simple, however, wherever the devil is in control, there is complete confusion!! That's what been happening here and NOW people see the results. The shedding of innocent blood will call God's Judgment upon the Nation!!

[sfRummygirl]

I am praying. I'm not as good a written prayer person as Pegita...
There is something I want to tell you folks. Speaking of prayer. Remember a few days ago, how there was someone on the threads who made a lot of people upset about what they were posting about Terri, and then the nazi vanity post?
Ok, well that person just posted a good bye opus, and included in that opus are complaints that FR has become a 'bible thumping' place, and called it 'church'.
I'm not even going to post the link, because my goal here is not to cause a fight. My goal, is to alert you all that some of the people who want Terri to die, are against us posting prayers here.
As far as I have seen, no one has tried to convert anyone under force.
I just want people to be aware of this. Not that I think people should stop posting prayers.....no way. But for me, it all kinda made sense after I read that. I knew there was something else going on, I just couldn't figure it out.
Just protect yourself.
As for me, now I realize that I don't even have to fight with these folks. Because now I understand the bigger picture.
Stay strong.

Father God, we love you so much. You are what sustains us through all of this. Thank you for this strange fellowship on this internet that has occured, in the name of saving Terri. We are calling out to you, to save this girl, to let her have some more time on this planet, before she comes home to you. Her family hurts so much, Lord, and we also pray for them, that they receive comfort. Keep them safe. And keep safe all the people that are out there showing their love for Terri's life.
In your name we pray this....

[Salvation]

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[sweetliberty]

We have been shedding innocent blood since the legalization of abortion. Situations such as Terri's have just taken it to another level. God help us.

Stop and add a prayer to Terri's prayer thread. This will be sent to her family.

[sfRummygirl]

i agree with you....

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

His email to summer suggesting that what is really needed is more living wills is an insult to our intelligence.

Took the words right out of my mouth. His emails and the commentary to follow was dripped with drivel.

[Salvation]

"First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out --
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out --
because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out --
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me --
and there was no one left to speak out for me."
~~Pastor Martin Niemoller
(victim of the Nazis)

Is there anything we can learn from this?
When they came for the Catholics?
When they came for the Baptists?
When they came for the fundamentalists?
When they came for the agnostics?
When they came for the physically disabled?
When they came for the mentally disabled?

Just something for all of us to think about -- is this picture larger than we currently see it?

[NYer]

George Felos, chief right-to-kill advocate, Michael's lawyer, star of Oprah and exploiter of the most helpless now mocks Terri's parents for going to desperate measures to prevent the slow starvation to death of their daughter and expects them to wait in the hall while silly people playing God murder their child.

The one and only day this week when all the mainstream media covered this story, it was sickening to hear Felos say that "Terri died 13 years ago.", insinuating that her family is depraved for wanting to keep a dead woman alive. I noticed too, his stance, when he speaks - straight faced, serious, almost doleful and sympathetic expression, hands folded in front. This is what the average american saw and believed on TV.

I am absolutely bereft - haven't had more than a couple of hours sleep, completely sickened over this situation. Thanks for keeping this thread alive!

[isrul]

I'm not surprised that there are those upset by prayer. We live in a nation that increasingly views prayer as pornography and pornography as prayer.

The sacred is vile and the vile is sacred.

[Pegita]

Your beautiful prayer has me in tears ...

[Salvation]

I believe that this case will become for euthenasia what Roe v. Wade became for abortion.

[sfRummygirl]

When I read that opus, a chill ran down my spine.
I knew he was here, I just didn't know to what direction.
Ya get me?

[sfRummygirl]

Oh, pegita, I'm so glad I could write a good one! Church helped me a lot today.

[sfRummygirl]

They are working their way down the 'list'. God help us all.

[isrul]

You're absolutely right and the next big media coverage will come, post mortem, with FElos gleefully talking about "Terri's victory", despite the vile attempts of the parents to violate her privacy.

The media whores will hang on to every word, starry eyed.