Posted on 03/26/2005 9:07:47 AM PST by newheart
While the Episcopal Church’s General Convention has not specifically addressed the situation of Terri Schiavo -- the Florida woman who suffered severe brain damage in 1990 and has relied on a feeding tube to keep her alive since -- several resolutions have been passed regarding end-of-life issues. These include a 1991 resolution regarding prolongation of life.
(Excerpt) Read more at episcopalchurch.org ...
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Good job, newheart!
Thanks to you both for keeping us all so informed, and best wishes to you and yours on this joyous Easter, saddened by the events in Florida..
I read somewhere that a episcopal bishop named John Spong, introduced a resolution to the General Convention calling physician assisted suicide ‘a life-affirming moral choice’ and ‘morally permissible’ in some instances. While the episcopal denomination did not adopt his resolutions, it was only rejected them by a narrow margin.
The 1998, the Lambeth Conference said that, ‘withholding, withdrawing, declining or terminating excessive medical treatment and intervention may be consonant with Christian faith in allowing a person to die with dignity.’ The key words are “withdrawing excessive medical treatment” that includes “nourishment and hydration.” So in effect they called for “euthanasia by omission.” Only few denomination (Catholic and Southern Baptist) spell-it-out in resolutions, you CAN NOT withdraw nourishment and hydration, the only exceptions to this is where death is imminent.
Lemme guess, the Episcopalians will send you one of their priestesses free of charge to shoot your terminally ill loved one between the eyes with a 12-gauge?
We do not need any special words or phrases for plain murder!
No surprise, here. I would argue that the key word in the Lambeth statement is "may," as in ..."[such actions} MAY be consonant with Christian faith." The Anglican heirarchy are accomplished at waffle words. They'll never say "is" when saying "may" will prevent them from having to defend their position either scripturally or doctrinally. The only ones that seem to be able to speak in absolutes are the rank heretics (like Spong). Only on the issue of homosexuality have I heard any of the Primates say "is," as in "homosexuality IS contrary to scipture." Still, each new report & communique returns to old habits. When the Church so desperately needs clear teaching on so many issues, we are left wanting by our Shepherds.
"That depends on what the meaning of "is", is." President Clinton.
If there is no meaning of “is" or "may," if everything is contextual, or if everything is subjective, then there are no absolutes and one can never be held accountable for what one does. Just like Bill Clinton there are no real values. "All are like sheep and have gone astray; having turned every one to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6).
So true, so true.
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