I was wondering about calling the Bishop in Florida. Terri's father was asked about support from the Church, especially in light of the Pope's declaration.
He said that Bishops and Cardinals in other states have expressed their support for Terri, but not the Bishop in Florida.
Since priests can refuse to give Communion to those that defy the Church's teaching, I was wondering why they don't refuse to marry Michael and Jody once they murder Terri against the teachings of the Church. I don't believe Michael is a practicing Catholic. But, since Jodi is living with Michael she should not be receiving Communion. It's the same for a remarried Catholic, they cannot receive Communion. Since she is defying the Catholic Church in her open support of Michael's intentions of starving Terri to death, I don't see how she can receive Communion or marry in the Church.
Terri's bishop, Robert N. Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, has openly stated that the Schindlers should allow Terri to die.
Terri's family met with Bishop Lynch in his office on two separate occassions. Each time, Lynch said there was nothing he could do. Lynch warned the priests in the diocese not to get involved with Terri's case. Those who have shown support for Terri have been ostracized by Lynch.
Terri's priest and friend of the family, Monsignor Thaddeus (Ted) Malanowski, is one of a handful of priests in the diocese who openly support Terri and her family. Lynch has given the cold shoulder to Mons. Malanowski, which causes him much saddness.
Monsignor visits Terri every Saturday and has been doing so for the last 4 years. Terri enjoys Monsignor's Polish songs and jokes.
Michael is not a practicing Catholic, but apparently his mistess Jodi Centonzi is. She regularly attends Mass at a Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, which is near Clearwater. Jodi and Michael's last child was baptized in the Catholic Church even though the priest was aware that they are not married.
I think it would be a great idea if we contacted Terri's bishop. Does anyone know his name, phone # and/or e-mail?
Unfortunately, while U.S. Catholic bishops and priests support Terri, there are some bad bishops who will have to face God some day. Of course, I don't know both sides of the story, but he should be pressued to do the right thing.
Also, it might be a good idea to write "letters to editor" to Catholic papers in FL. If interested, you can go to Catholicpress.org, click Diocesan newspapers (left side bar), and click Florida.
It's better to write a "letter to the editor" to Florida newspapers, especially if you live in Florida, but if anyone here decides to write a "letter to the editor,"
while you are at it, you can e-mail your lettter to this Catholic diocesan newspaper in Wisconsin, as well.
They published my Terri letter, and another letter I wrote, even though I'm from New York State. Here's the link and my letter. The majority of folks here can write a better letter than I, so go for it.
http://www.madisoncatholicherald.org/2004-09-09/editorial.html
Terri Schiavo has will to live
To the editor:
Shouldn't Terri Schiavo have the right to live? A counselor by phone used tough love and told Terri to stand up because there are some people that want to kill her. Terri tried desperately to stand up! The fact that Terri survived several starvation attempts (removal of her feeding tube) also shows her will to live.
Terri's dad said that Terri improved greatly with experimental brain surgery and started to talk. Terri would be far, far better today if her husband, Michael, did not stop her therapy. This proves that Terri is not in a vegetative state.
The Florida legislature passed a law called "Terri's Law" which would prohibit starving disabled people by removing their feeding tube. However, a judge overthrew the law so Terri's life is in danger once again. (Also, experts have said that Terri could eat without a feeding tube if she were allowed therapy.)
Please help Terri by visiting http://www.TerrisFight.org/ and click "action item." You don't have to live in Florida to help Terri; you can contact the suggested elected officials on Terri's Web site.