Posted on 03/22/2005 7:22:25 PM PST by xzins
Vatican fights to keep Schiavo alive 07:46 AEDT Wed Mar 23 2005
AP - The Vatican pressed its campaign to keep Terri Schiavo alive, saying removing the brain-damaged American woman's feeding tube amounted to capital punishment for someone who has committed no crimes.
In a front-page editorial, the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano criticised a United States federal judge's refusal to order the reinsertion of Schiavo's feeding tube.
"She has no possibility of being 'restored' to a 'normal' life. Therefore Terri Schiavo must die," the editorial began. "This is ... the absurd and terrifying reason" for the judge's decision, it added.
The decision by US District Judge James Whittemore came after feverish action by US President George W Bush and Congress on legislation allowing the brain-damaged woman's contentious case to be reviewed by federal courts.
The tube was disconnected Friday on the orders of a state judge, prompting an extraordinary weekend effort by congressional Republicans to push through unprecedented emergency legislation aimed at keeping her alive.
A top Vatican official, Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, also criticised the ruling, saying it legitimised a "cruel" death by hunger and thirst for Schiavo. Sgreccia, who heads the Pontifical Academy for Life, told Vatican Radio he hoped the ruling wouldn't be repeated in other cases.
"It's not euthanasia in the literal sense of the word," Sgreccia said. "It's not a good death, it's a death provoked by a cruel act. It's not a medical act," Sgreccia said.
"I confirm the moral judgment doesn't change, because it remains an illicit and serious act - even more serious since it appears the decision over who lives and who dies has become a question for a court," Sgreccia said.
In its editorial, L'Osservatore Romano said Whittemore had condemned Schiavo to an "atrocious death: death from hunger and thirst."
"After all, Terri's destiny appears not unlike that of many men and women who in the United States get capital punishment for their crimes," said the paper.
"But Terri has committed no crimes, if not that of being 'useless' to the eyes of a society incapable of appreciating and defending the gift of life. Of any life," said the paper.
The Holy See is opposed to the death penalty.
Schiavo suffered severe brain damage 15 years ago. Her husband says Schiavo told him she wouldn't want to be kept alive in a vegetative state. Her parents say she needs treatment and another opportunity for life.
The Vatican paper's remarks reflected earlier comments from several Vatican prelates over the case. For the Catholic Church, euthanasia can never be allowed as only God has the power to decide over the life and death of a human being.
Pope John Paul II has strongly condemned euthanasia throughout his 26-year pontificate.
©AAP 2005
If they are so all-fired anxious to allow their so-called "natural death," then they would be attempting to give her food and water by mouth. But they have denied that route even though evidence is clear that she used to be fed in that way that we feed our babies.
To institute oral feeding would mess up the plans to kill her.
If she can't swallow...why are there guards at her door so that no one gives her food or water?????????
Another great and noble champion of Liberty and Equal Justice.
I sense a ZOT in your future.
farewll
Oh the irony.
I guess you didn't know that homosexuality is described by the Catholic Bible as "an abomination"... as would be such a marriage by Schiavo as he starves his wife to death.
This your first time trolling on FR? I won't rat you out, I'll let the kitties play with you a bit... hope your skin is tough and leathery.
Darn it, I wanted to have some fun with that mouse before grilling it for dinner.
the world is watching Terri. The living dead say "let her join us in death." The living say, "let her live." The battle of the ages comes to Pinellas Park, Florida.
thank you
The nurse who cared for her for 2 years said that she could. I heard her with my own ears tonight.
it's dead - not zot worthy
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