Posted on 10/19/2003 8:02:16 AM PDT by 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
That doesn't surprise me.
Remember, Terri is a Catholic, therefore she is a member of the hated "Religious right wing."
Wait a minute, Budge. Arent the democRATS communist at DU supposed to be the compasionate ones??
Need I say more? Fregards, Terri would be out there for me on the lawn with a sign if it was reversed. floriduh voter
W can win without California, but not without Florida.
Sorry extra character in code
As a catholic, Terri Schiavo has the right to receive the Sacrament called Annointing of the Sick. As one draws closer to death, viaticum (from the Latin, meaning food for the journey) is recommended by the church. As described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church ...
1524 In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of "passing over" to the Father, has a particular significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection, according to the words of the Lord: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."[140] The sacrament of Christ once dead and now risen, the Eucharist is here the sacrament of passing over from death to life, from this world to the Father.[141]
1525 Thus, just as the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist form a unity called "the sacraments of Christian initiation," so too it can be said that Penance, the Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute at the end of Christian life "the sacraments that prepare for our heavenly homeland" or the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage.
Budge, maxplunder and I are neighbors. We live in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. We have vehicles, but on such short notice it would be difficult to make sure they were ready for that long a drive. Mine would probably make it, but I would be reluctant to risk it without having it at least looked over and a tune-up. I put a lot of miles on my car with my job from which I have just been laid off for the season (at least 2 1/2 months) so cost is an issue, although, as I said, I could contribute for gas.
Travelgirl, I know you expressed some interest in this yesterday but we all got busy discussing other things. What is your situation? I got the impression that your schedule might be tied up, but you didn't really say. The rest of us have the time available right now.
I am not at the vigil. See my post #5.
Pete Vere, a well known Canon Lawyer, is at vigil. He is posting to the Envoy Magazine blog and knows that freepers are following Terri's story. The pictures and original story are Pete's, from the vigil.
The Hemlock Society provides a detailed description of death by starvation and dehydration, for those who seek such a death. As you and I well know, if a human being were to do this to thier domestic pet, they would be prosecuted, fined and send to jail. Animals now have more rights than humans. Here it is.
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Hastening Death by Starvation and Dehydration by Faye Girsh, Executive Director The option of dying by starvation or Patient Refusal of Nutrition and Hydration (PRNH), as it is referred to, appears to be a compromise which allows terminally ill people to end their lives and still have ministrations from hospice and from a doctor. A hospice nurse was kind enough to send me eight articles from nursing and medical journals reviewing this process in an attempt to convince me that this was a painless and gentle death which would obviate the necessity of a more drastic end. Hemlock Society is in the business of maximizing the options for a good death; for many people this means of ending their lives is acceptable while getting direct help from a doctor, using a plastic bag, or ending their lives by other more direct means is not. Having read this material I would endorse this as a legitimate alternative to which our members should give careful consideration, particularly when other means are not acceptable or available. I do have these caveats:
PRNH is a choice; it is relatively gentle and painless in most reported cases. It is certain, and loved ones can be there. Hospice workers and doctors will regard this as acceptable and treat the patient with compassion. It is not offensive to most religious groups. But it is not swift; the patient must be close to death, and medical and nursing help should be available. It may not be an option for everyone. Since the manner of dying must be the patient's choice, this method does not obviate the search for ways which are acceptable to every person -- including direct help from a doctor -- certainly a shorter, more direct, and less torturous route. |
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I want to digress a bit to point out how important it is for Evangelicals and faithful Cathlics to work together in the pro-life cause and in other traditional moral causes such as defense of the family.
There are a few bigots here in FR who don't seem to grasp that point. Yes, Catholics and Evangelicals differ on a number of theological points. Nevetheless, they are natural allies in the struggle against the Culture of Death.
Although I am Catholic, I donate to Operation Rescue West and Survivors, both primarily Evangelical organizations. I would not be suprised if they are involved in the Terry Schiavo vigil. It's the kind of thing they do, and they do it well and faithfully.
In other words, don't bash your allies.
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