The problem with that, however, is that there are plenty of "devout" Catholics who are not lock-step with the Church on individual matters like use of barrier contraception and tubal ligation. This might've been one for her.
I've seen the videos and in my opinion her parents are projecting their wishes upon the harsh reality.
You nailed the issue. Not every Catholic is in lockstep agreement with the Pope. His opinion carries great weight, but I do not think it could be used as actual evidence of her beliefs on a particular issue.
Terri never used contraception during their marriage, according to her husband and others during the malpractice trial (1992) and even as recently as the 2000 trial. That's in the court records as testimony. You can't assume Terri went against some of the teachings of her church when she seemed to be practicing them in so many aspects of her life.
I hope they do look at the words of the Pope since what he has said should be given some weight. Then again, since Judge Greer could easily toss away Gov. Bush's recommendation to appoint a guardian ad-litem for Terri, then Greer could just as easily decide that the Pope has nothing worth hearing either.
As far as watching those videos is concerned, which ones did you get to see? The ones I watched I saw a woman trying very hard to follow the doctor's orders to track the balloon with her eyes. She seemed very responsive to her mom. She turns her eyes to meet her mom's face. She shows delight in her facial expressions. You must have watched a different video than I did.
If you are new to this case at all, and by that I mean only following it vaguely with what the general media presents, then you will get a skewed version of what has really transpired all these years.
Terri came out of her coma about 2 months after her "collapse". She used to be able to talk shortly after that, because I've seen documentation from nurses and other caregivers that mentioned she complained during her menstrual cycle by saying "hurts". She would say "help" and "mama".
The only way for Terri to regress to the point she has is that she has been neglected. She stopped receiving rehabilitative therapy in 1993 after Michael received the money from the malpractice trial. Interesting that that's when her decline first started.
The harsh reality is that there are people out there who don't always have anyone's best interest in mind except their own, and Michael and his lawyers are some of those people.
Newzjunky, are you sure you gave your full attention to the video's? This dear woman is obviously responding to her Mom, and others; if you think not, we will agree to disagree. (Please look at the video's again)