Florida Catholic Conference Criticized Over Terri Schiavo Case (for weakness, cowardice)

Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International (LDI), today blasted the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC) for "a cold and feeble response to the plight of Terri Schindler Schiavo and those like her." "

The FCC issued a statement that addressed Presumption for Nutrition and Hydration: "The Catholic community begins discussions regarding the withdrawal and withholding of artificial nutrition and hydration with a presumption in favor of their provision. However, when the burdens exceed the benefits of providing them, they may be withdrawn or withheld. We note that what is too burdensome for one person may not be too burdensome for another." Another section of the statement addresses euthanasia: "While withdrawal of Terri Schiavo's nutrition and hydration will lead to her death, if this is being done because its provision would be too burdensome for her, it could be acceptable. If it is being done to intentionally cause her death, this would be wrong."

"What kind of mealy-mouthed statement is this?" Scott asked. "Why does the manner in which a person receives basic care make any difference? And this case has nothing to do with nutrition and hydration being a burden, although it could be argued that continuing such basic care has been a burden on Mike Schiavo's future plans." Scott said the only possible goal here would be to cause Terri's death."

The FCC statement addressed the "Need" for Health Care Advance Directives: "That Terri Schiavo left no written instructions as to whom should make such decisions in her absence (a healthcare surrogate), or what criteria ought to be used to make such determinations has contributed to the difficulty of this case. This is not rare…"

"Why doesn't the statement emphasize that since Terri left no written instructions, the claims of her husband should be disregarded?" Scott asked. "Terri's wishes are all based on hearsay and her family says she would never have wanted to be starved to death."

When the FCC refers to the "Need for Ethical Decision-making," it explains that, "Catholic teaching notes that the proxy may not deliberately cause a patient's death or refuse ordinary and normal treatment, even if he or she believes a patient would have made such a decision." Scott said the need for nutrition and hydration is "anything but extraordinary or abnormal." Yet the FCC refuses to directly and unambiguously state that Terri Schindler Schiavo must be given food and water. "What's the problem here? The Florida Catholic Conference sets a standard and then declines to tie it directly to the case at hand."

"We continue to ask all people of good will to join us in prayer for Terri Schiavo, whose spiritual needs are being met by clergy of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and for all involved in this difficult case, especially her husband, parents and siblings, the FCC statement reads. "While it is always time for prayer, it is also time for action. And the Florida Catholic Conference is guilty of taking no significant action in this critical time," Scott said. "This inaction is utterly appalling."

The bulk of Scott's criticism was reserved for Bishop Robert Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida. "Where is this Catholic 'leader' when one of his parishioners needs him the most?" Scott asked. "Every member of the clergy, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, should be pounding the pulpit every Sunday, insisting that Terri's life be spared," Scott said. "Every member of the clergy should be speaking out about Terri every day until this matter is resolved in Terri's favor. This is not the time for cowardice, complacency or weakness. Terri's life depends on it. Any member of the clergy who does not do all he can to save Terri's life is party to any disaster that befalls her."

The bulk of Scott's criticism was reserved for Bishop Robert Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida.

It's difficult in 'changing church' to find ANY bishop willing to stand for even the MOST BASIC of Catholic doctrine. They're applauded when they even minimally do their job, and are labelled 'conservative' for it.

This is what you get from a 'reformed' sect. The 'Catholic' church on the corner might have even FEWER real believers in God, in His Passion, even in His Church ironically, than some found in the evangelical churches elsewhere in town. Ultimately, some of those Prots will find the truth in the Catholic Church, while the 'cultural' and 'cradle to grave' Catholics so-called will continue down the path of unbelief until they positively learn to hate what it is that drew the new Protestant convert to Catholicism, real Catholicism.

That is why the concept of the GUARDIAN, I believe. A Guardian that has only the conerns of the patient in mind, usually a family member, can and should make the decision if the patient is unable.

That is what Michael is trying to do, as Guardian. A trusted guardian does not have rehab therapy withheld for five years, while claiming to have the interests of the patient in heart.

This case if different than the normal, in so many ways. Terri is not brain-dead, and with Felos being a member of a Korvorkian type sect, or cult, it would seem they are using her to set a precedent.

You see, once set, precedents are hard to overrule. If they do discard Terri as not being human, not viable, then it becomes the same as abortion.

How the same? When a couple have sex, without contraception, or condoms, and the female gets pregnant, they are gonna have a child that God gave them.

Yet, adolescents are led to believe that they are weak. They cannot possibly mature, take responsibility, and love the child in the face of difficult circumstances. They wonder if they have the child, will they lose it to DCF or some similar agency because they could not take care of the child properly. They feel helpless. This is where parenting, and mentoring come in. Parents/Mentors need to tell their children that they will be behind them, and that God would not give them more than they could handle. That they have a Gift from God, and it ain't wise to refuse his gifts. That now they have removed the option of 'goofing off while I'm young', and are going to have to grow up.

Why don't more parents do this. Cause it's INCONVENIENT.

Both the woman who seeks abortion due to the mentioned situation, and the man who either allows or ignores it, are taking the convenient way out.

Ladies, do not let your feathers fluff. There is little doubt that most women who, due to society, peer-pressure, and lack of support from parents find no other alternative, but in truth, there is no excuse.

For as much as sex is discussed openly in all media, for the idea that women know men just want sex, for the idea that women know who gets 9 months at hard labor if 'they' get pregnant, the idea of a woman forgetting to take her pill or ask/demand the guy wear a condom is unexcuseable.

If your 'forgetting' is due to drugs/alcohol, then it is likely God was giving you the baby to straighten your behind out.

Michael could have avoided all this controversy if he had taken his responsibility, and his word, and kept them until he felt like, as a husband, he needed to move on.

He could have explored the options that would cost him the least and benefited Terri as much as possible. He would be free from guilt. IMHO.

Were there not two very opposing viewpoints on this issue with Terri (Michael/Felos/Greer vs. Terri/her family/100,000 American Citizens that signed a protest) I would not have found reason for concern. Had Terri truly been NON VIABLE, NONE RECOVERABLE, then Michael deserves his own life and Terri would be likely better cared for, especially if it was her own family. I would not have an objection for quickly, painlessly, allowing Terri to go to her reward. I would have to live with the decision, as well as Michael, and that would be between us and God.

No one wants a law that says we can't relieve the body of the weight of the soul when the soul can make no use of the body. In the strictest sense, we do not have that as a God given right, the right to decide another's death. But we have found as mortal men, that we are called upon to make these kind of decisions, and for those that have been through it, it is a very hard, very emotional, very disturbing action.

Law-wise, it seems we will likely have a new law, which would not have been needed, but to counter this particular case. That means the LAW MAKER found reason to believe this case was being used by those with a hidden agenda. (or not so hidden....)

Perhaps the do nothing attitude of Bishop Lynch can be traced back to his serving as General Secretary for the U.S. Catholic Conference and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bishop Lynch might profit from the 2/24/05statement of Cardinal Martino,president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.Cardinal Martino said"If Mr.Schiavo suceeds legally in causing the death of his wife,this not only would be tragic in itself, but would be a grave step toward the legal approval of euthanasia in theU.S. I would like to remind everyone in thisconnection,about what the Holy Father has said...confirming that the quality of life is not interpreted as economic success,beauty and physical pleasure,but consists in the supreme dignity of the creature made in the image and likeness of God.No one can be the arbiter of life except God himself."[Zenit News Agency]

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