Bishop Robert N. Lynch
Posted on 03/02/2005 8:27:33 PM PST by Coleus
Terri’s Bishop Issues Bizarre Statement
Implies Schindlers should accept her imminent death and reconcile with her killer
ST. PETERSBURG, March 2, 2005 (LifeSitenews.com) - For some time now, pro-life Catholics fighting to save the life of Terri Schiavo, have been clamoring for a statement or intervention by the bishop of St. Petersburg Florida, Terri’s home diocese. Now that such a statement has finally been made, the same pro-lifers might well be wishing Bishop Robert N. Lynch had maintained his silence.
The Florida Catholic Bishops’ conference has stated plainly that Terri’s means of receiving food and water does not constitute ‘extraordinary’ means of preserving her life, and is a simple requirement of ordinary care. Bishop Lynch, a signatory to that statement, has in a statement of his own, implied that Terri is at death’s door, and indicates that his only concern is the lack of “peace” between her estranged husband Michael Schiavo and her parents.
Bishop Lynch’s comments are bizarre and shocking given the fact that Michael Schiavo has abandoned his wife and has taken up an adulterous liaison with another woman with whom he has sired two children and has campaigned to end Terri’s life by starving her to death.
Bishop Lynch moves from the bizarre and shocking to the outrageous when he implies that this lack of “peace,” is the fault of her parents for being determined to save her life. “This (peace) will not happen in this instance because of the seeming intractability of both sides,” he writes. His statement amounts to an admonition to Terri’s parents to accept that she will die by starvation and to be reconciled with her would-be killer.
“Normally, at the end of life,” writes Lynch, “families of the person in extremis agree that it is time to allow the Lord to call a loved one to Himself, feeling that they have done all they possibly might to provide alternatives to death, every possible treatment protocol which might be helpful has been attempted.” Those who have followed Terri’s case will find this inexplicable since it is Michael Schiavo who has total control over Terri and has, against the pleadings of Terri’s parents, refused her any kind of rehabilitative therapy.
Lynch goes on to say that the decision to starve Terri to death is one that will be made by ‘a family’ which, incomprehensibly, he identifies as Michael Schiavo alone. He writes, “As I have said from the beginning of this sad situation, the decision will be made within a family.”
Then, in comments that seem calculated to outrage and injure Terri’s family, Bishop Lynch says, “I urge and pray that before the finality, one last effort be made for mediation.” Terri’s life is threatened by no pre-existing medical condition and the only reason for ‘finality’ is Michael Schiavo’s determination to create it.
Inexplicable also is the apparent unconcern of the Bishop for saving Terri’s life, an indifference that will outrage Catholics since he also took no action when Michael refused to allow Terri visits from a priest and to receive the sacraments. “The legacy of Terri’s situation should not be that of those who love her the most, loathing the actions of one another…but of a heroic moment of concern for the feelings of each other… with a single focus of achieving the best result for Terri.” Bishop Lynch, in spite of the evidence that Michael’s only interest is in seeing his wife die, declines to say what result would be “best.”
“I beg and pray,” writes Lynch, “that both sides might step back a little and allow some mediation in these final hours.”
Contact Bishop Lynch:
P.O. Box 40200, St. Petersburg, FL
33743-0200
(727) 341-6830
VI@dosp.org
Read Bishop Lynch’s statement:
Read Crisis Magazine article on the history of Terri’s case:
Florida Bishop's Statement on Euthanasia-Starvation of Terri Schiavo Deplorably Weak
Florida Catholic Conference Criticized Over Terri Schiavo Case
Activist Judge Greer plays 'God' as arbiter of life and death
Bishops urged to take action, uphold Church teaching in Terri Schiavo case
Catholic Medical Association issues strongly worded statement in defense of Terri Schiavo
George Felos' book, "Litigation as Spiritual Practice," reveals the sick and diabolical thought process of the attorney who is killing Terri Schiavo
where do they find these people? why can't someone just say 'don't let her die'?? Whats so hard about that?? Instead we should help the killer??
Isn't there ANY kind of checks and balances to defrock such bishops? He is going against the VATICAN.
I called Bishop Lynch's office and left a message that he is not doing enough to help Terri (before I read his recent statement). His receptionist, told me this has been going on for 15 years. What does that have to do with it? Maybe that's what she was told to say.
I told her I KNOW it's been going on for 15 years; I'm an expert on it.
Please call Bishop Lynch at 1-727-341-6830.
Maybe, better yet, we should call his superior bishop, whoever that is.
When people make strange pronouncements such as this there's only one thing to do.....look for the money trail.
Unfortunately, there really is no such thing as him reporting to another bishop here in the US. The next stop would be the Vatican.
Whoever wrote this acrimonious drivel is clearly suffering from some kind of mental seizure, perhaps induced by emotional duress. The bishop's statement is quite clearly favorable to the Schindlers and implicitly condemning of Michael Schiavo. If anyone is being criticized it is Michael Schiavo for excluding the rest of the family from the decision-making process and refusing to explore alternatives. Of course, the bishop strikes a conciliatory tone (funny how mediation works that way), but then that is why he is a bishop and not a rabble rouser. I guess the bishop realizes that Michael Schiavo holds the trump cards and it's unhelpful to pointlessly antagonize him..
Pray for Terri, pray for the Bishop, they both are nearing a crossroads.
The angels surrounding Terri have their work cut out for them. God bless her.
I thought bishops are overseen by an archbishop. Is the function of an archbishop for a different purpose?
God's will be done. Terri is showing us how the fruits of Modernism have infected society and the hierarchs of the Church. She is doing God's work, even sick and bedridden. I suspect one day she will have a day on the calendar of Saints.
Surely Lynch (what an appropriate name!) will be chastised by God at some point.
Terri ping! If anyone would like to be added to or removed from my Terri ping list, please let me know by FReepmail!
Thank you for posting the telephone number.
I just called there.
Perhaps he will rethink his statement.
Pray for him.
I called Lynch's office this evening and left a voice mail asking how he could be so removed that he has not even visited with Terri alongside her loving parents.
I said that I was going to email the vatican with his press release and commentary, and I will.
I asked him if michael, living the good life, porking his mistress, making babies and driving a mercedes while TERRI rots in a hospice room where she is allowed NO PLEASURE or STIMULATIONN was who he really wanted to support.
Or if he had become so remote from his flock, that only politics and blindingly obtuse rhetoric matter.
Wish I had asked him if he had become like the pharisee, so impressed with themselves and their lives, that their justice became false, and angered Christ.
I am not a Catholic, but I figure we all love the same God.
I hope his voicemail is filled by tomorrow morning.
The nominations are closed for "Episcopal Invertebrate of the Year Award".
Lynch wins by acclamation.
Nobody even close.
I was so saddened and ashamed by Bishop Lynch's statement that I sent him an email. I pray God will put some spine in that man's back.
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