Posted on 02/12/2005 5:16:59 AM PST by amdgmary
Terri Schiavo
Fr. Frank Pavone National Director, Priests for Life
She is not dying. She has no terminal illness. She is not in a coma. She is not on life-support equipment. She is not alone, but rather has loving parents and siblings ready to care for her for the rest of her life. She has not requested death.
Yet a battle rages regarding whether Terri Schindler-Schiavo should be starved. She has sustained brain injuries and cannot speak or eat normally. Nevertheless, the only tube attached to her is a small, simple, painless feeding tube that provides her nourishment directly to her digestive system.
Her legal guardian is her husband, who already has another woman -- by whom he also has children. He wants Terri's feeding tube removed. Of course, he could simply allow her to be cared for by her parents and siblings, and get on with his life, but he refuses.
I have had two opportunities to visit Terri, most recently on the first Sunday of February. I have been able to talk to her, to listen to her struggle to speak, to watch her focus her eyes and smile and attempt to kiss her parents. I have prayed with her, blessed her, and assured her that she has many friends around the country and around the world, who love her and want her to enjoy the same protections we all enjoy, even when we're wounded.
News articles have recently characterized Terri's situation by saying that some want to "keep her alive against her husband's wishes." But Terri is not dying. What does "keeping her alive" mean, if not the same thing as keeping you and me alive -- that is, by giving us adequate food, shelter, and care?
Some say that Terri's family should "let her go." But this is not a matter of "letting her go," because she isn't "going" anywhere. If, however, she is deprived of nourishment, then she would slowly die in the same way that any of us would slowly die if we were deprived of nourishment. It is called starvation.
If the courts permit that to happen, then why should that permission apply only in Terri's case? There would be no way to limit it to her case alone. Countless others would follow, and their deaths would be described as "letting them die" instead of "killing them." Where, indeed, does the state get the authority to starve people? Court decisions permitting this lack all authority, as Pope John Paul II teaches in "The Gospel of Life" (section 72). These decisions cannot be obeyed, because they are not binding on the conscience and are in fact acts of violence.
At the present time, there are two simple things you can do. Educate your neighbors about this situation. Visit our website, www.priestsforlife.org, and click on the "Terri Schiavo" link. Second, contact anyone you know in Florida and ask them to encourage their Governor and state legislators to continue doing everything possible to save Terri's life.
For more information on this crucial case, visit www.priestsforlife.org/euthanasia/terri.htm. If you want educational cards on Terri's situation, contact our orders department at orders@priestsforlife.org, or by calling 888-PFL-3448, ext. 237, or by writing Orders Department, Priests for Life, PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314.
Ping. Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life visited Terri last Sunday
SAINT Frank Pavone, IMHO.
Fr. Frank is a fighter!
Another example of using a phrase to misrepresent the truth. The good Father is right. The court is trying to KILL her.
I find this entire scenario bizarre and frightening. I was in medical sales for many years and sold among other things the feeding tubes and nutritional products being administered to Terri Schiavo. I provided in service training to care givers regarding the proper use of these products and as a result have witnessed many patients in long term care facilities. Most of these patients were at an end of life stage; many in a fetal position and non responsive. I dare say there are many thousands of people in this condition. Should we now consider ending these peoples lives too?
To actually remove the tube or cease the administration of the nutritional supplements and water will require an order from either a physician or I suppose the court. I cannot imagine any physician writing such an order. I am not a lawyer but I guess a judge could order the discontinuance of life support, and threaten with contempt and jail time anyone who violated his ruling. Would she then be allowed to remain in the facility dying a slow and painful death from starvation and dehydration before the very eyes of her family, friends, and former care givers? What have we come to that this can even be contemplated?
I'm with you - how in the world can any court order the outright murder of this woman?!?!
How terribly sad that our country has slipped into the mindset that when people are no longer productive members of society they should be disposed of in whatever means is at hand. Can you imagine the pain and anguish Terri's family is going to have to go through watching her starve to death? Characteristic symptoms of starvation include:
* shrinkage of vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, and ovaries or testes, and their functions.
* chronic diarrhea
* anemia
* reduction in muscle mass and weakness because of it
* low body temperature
* immune deficiency
* swelling from fluid under the skin
To have to watch a loved one go through this as a result of a court ordered murder is unconscionable.
Dear Father, only you have the right to say when Terry should die, not her husband, his lawyers or corrupt judges. Please Lord take this power out of their hands. Let us wait in comfort for your call home not wonder who will be next when such evil knocks at our door.
Those who are concerned over whether Terri is really 'vegetative' or not, just watch this video.
http://hometown.aol.com/GordonWWatts/myhomepage/ConversationWithTerri.wmv
That is some video alright! Keep it in front of their eyes.
This question bears repeating and should be put on billboards.
I'd donate money for that billboard
Me too.
You're right. It needs to be put on billboards in Florida. And I'll help pay also.
Terri ping! If anyone would like to be added to or removed from my Terri ping list, please let me know by FReepmail!
This was a great article!
To the others: I would donate too!
Oooh...look what I just found hehehehe Proverbs 22:22 & 23 "Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them." :o)
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