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]

You aren't alone. Sad, but much of the anger is from people just now becoming aware of this case. Terri's family tried to get the local media to cover it honestly for 13 years. The right-to-kill agenda was pushed hard in Florida by some very powerful people. There is something supernatural about this particular case. Something seriously, wrongly influencing the local Pinellas scribes and pharisees (reporters and lawyers/judges), imho.

Most of us are guilty - of letting those peddling death to control the agenda, the story, the culture - and to silence our churches, corrupt the kids...so we can do our own thing and pretend to remain pure, outside the mess as innocents are killed and children immersed in this culture slash their bodies with razors in order to feel.

[sweetliberty]

Regarding your post #48, interesting and well-stated perspective.

[sfRummygirl]

I'm not even going to look at it now. It will depress me to realize that I don't fit in both with the rat left, and the party-line right.
I think I am realizing how Savage must feel!
(Actually, I do know there are alot of non-party-line conservatives here, too.)

[sfRummygirl]

I take it you read my 127 post :-)

[sweetliberty]

"it REALLY makes me think there may be a nurse there that actually has a heart and is sneaking her food and water."

That would be wonderful, but it may also be that the Lord is sustaining her supernaturally. It has happened before. And wouldn't that boil Michael Schiavo's potatoes if she survived in spite of his effort to kill her? I mean, what would he do then, petition the court to allow her to be poisoned?

[RedRidingHood]

Has there been any word from the Florida scotus yet? I thought they were supposed to have an answer by midnight last night.

[MagnoliaMS]

I don't believe it, either. They are so totally against Bush, there is no way they would voluntarily do anything he asked them. Either GW or Jeb.

[sweetliberty]

"I wanted to post another open letter to Jeb Bush from Laci Peterson's friends, at least 500 of them. They are now Terri's friends"

Thanks. That is good to know.

[conservativeammom]

I believe if these evil people in Florida and around the country have their way it will become and every day event. This opens the door to all those who would sit in judgement over a disabled or elderly person who they deem not worthy of taking a breath and sentencing them to death because they are considered a burden on society. God help us, because He is the only one that can.

[sweetliberty]

"This case has cut across denominational lines."

Why wouldn't it? We are brothers and sisters in Christ who know good from evil.

[MagnoliaMS]

This is off-topic, but just a little bit. Did any of you see the new Reader's Digest? In "That's Outrageous," I think it was, they picked three of the worst judges in the country. One (should have been Greer, but wasn't) was from, guess where? Circuit Court of Pinellas County, Florida. Surprise, surprise. Something must be wrong with the majority of voters there.

[LaraCroft]

I am waiting with baited breath for the feature to be able to block certain posters, so that you never ever have to read their inane, ignorant, stupid blather.

[LaraCroft]

IF, and I don't know, but IF something untoward happened on the night of her collapse, his motivation might be less money and more saving his own butt, if she got therapy and was able to communicate.

[sweetliberty]

"one could have hoped that the tube had to stay in place so she could recieve Holy Communion"

You have to keep in mind that those who would do such a thing as is being done to Terri have nothing but contempt and mocking for the things of God. Being able to deny her spiritual sustenance, as well as physical, is just icing on the cake for them.

[honeygrl]

"What's DU? Is that another site?"

A scary liberal forum. DU=DemocraticUnderground We aren't supposed to link to it from here, but you can guess the URL from the name. ;)

[GailA]

Has anyone contacted the Rutherford Institute? They take on difficult cases for the Christian Community. There is an 800 pager number for their press person.

Media and Public Relations: Read The Rutherford Institute's latest press releases.

Contact: Nisha Mohammed

The Rutherford Institute

Phone: (434) 978-3888*
P.O. Box 7482

Fax: (434) 978-1789

Charlottesville, VA 22906-7482

E-mail: nisha@rutherford.org

Pager: 800-946-4646 Pin #: 1478257

[grania]

I believe if these evil people in Florida and around the country have their way it will become and every day event.

I can't read this post. It makes me sick. Jeb should intervene, give custody to the parents, and the woman should be brought either home, or if impossible, to a private hospital.

How is anyone who lets this happen, JebBush or GWB could over ride and give a stay of execution, any one judge, any better than the sleaziest, most disgusting abortionist?

Pray also for those who aren't doing what they can to save this woman. Pray for all of us if no one in power supports her right to be nourished.

[sfRummygirl]

I'm getting a lot of mail from folks wanting to see the post. Do a post search under poster 'u4ea'. You'll find it.
I gotta run....will catch you all later...

[LadyPilgrim]

People can say I'm thumping all they want to. Doesn't matter to me!

I'm saying exactly what God wants me to!

I know without a doubt that there are those poping in and out that do not know God, today.

If they do not like Scripture being talked about.......go to another forum, more atuned to their line of thought.
Or another thread. That would help everyone.

There's a spiritual situation going on over here.
What do you want us to use? A dictionary? A novel? A textbook? A news paper?
Or maybe a screen play? Or DVD lyrics? Get real.

HA! No, to that! Give me the Bible any day!

I don't read some of that stuff they have anyway.
Sounds to me as if we got those lurking over here.

And I can assure you..............THEY WILL KNOW HIM ONE DAY!!!

IT could be sooner than they think!!!

If this sounds a little rough... so be it. I'm tired of the stuff being put on this family.
We're all tired!
They need comfort and love. God ministers at times like this, and it's through His Word!
I know He does! He's My Father!

[conservativeammom]

Oh how I do agree with you. I have been in prayer for many days over this horrible atrocity. It is more than I can comprehend, why someone cannot stop this. I will continue in prayer. Everyone needs to wake up and realize that it could be anyone of us personally put in this position via our own health issues or the health issues of a family member. This is a scary precedent being set here.