Posted on 07/25/2011 8:45:03 PM PDT by Brian Kopp DPM
Cardinal Burke: suffering does not rid life of purpose
By Marianne Medlin
Cardinal Raymond Burke speaks at the Kansas City archdiocese on July 23, 2011
Kansas City, Kan., Jul 25, 2011 / 05:09 am (CNA/EWTN News).- At a Kansas City conference on end-of-life care, Cardinal Raymond Burke said that suffering does not cause a person to have less meaning in his life, nor does it give the government the right to decide if that person should live or die.
“No matter how much a life is diminished, no matter what suffering the person is undergoing, that life demands the greatest respect and care,” Cardinal Burke, prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, told CNA.
“It's never right to snuff out a life because it's in some way under heavy burden.”
Cardinal Burke spoke July 23 to a packed auditorium of over 350 people at the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan. on the “mystery” of human suffering and dying for his keynote address at the “Being Faithful, Even Unto Death” conference.
The meeting, organized by the St. Gianna Physician’s Guild, addressed medical issues surrounding those suffering and those at the end of their lives. The event was the first initiative of its kind for the group.
In his speech on Saturday, Cardinal Burke said that human suffering can only be understood in light of the “gift” and “dignity” of human life.
“Human life is a gift to be accorded the highest respect and care from its beginning until natural death,” he emphasized. “We are not the creators of human life and must respect the plan of the author of life for us and for our world.”
The cardinal stressed the importance of Catholics giving end-of-life care more attention, in light of cases involving vulnerable people such as Teri Schindler Schiavo – a severely disabled Florida woman who was deprived of nutrition and hydration by court order and her husband's request in 2005.
He underscored that nutrition and hydration are part of “basic human care” and to deprive patients of such care is not in any way “compassionate.”
Rather, “deliberately taking the life of an innocent human person is intrinsically evil and therefore, is never justified,” he said.
Along with the need for Catholics in general to be more informed on Church teaching about euthanasia, Cardinal Burke put special emphasis on Catholic students and seminarians being well versed on the topic.
All students, he said, should “pursue a certain number of courses of philosophy, so that in whatever field they specialize in,” they will use a logical, faith-filled approach to life issues.
Ultimately, he noted, “respect for the dignity of human life is the foundation of good order in our individual lives and our society.”
Without this respect, “our personal lives become profoundly disordered and society soon becomes a theater of violence and death.”
Cardinal Burke told CNA in comments following his talk that a Christian worldview isn't necessary for people to agree that society does not have the right to determine who lives or dies.
He said that “right reason” alone is enough for people from different perspectives to enter into productive dialogue on the issue.
Also speaking at the event on Saturday was Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla who discussed the spirituality, life and legacy of her mother, Saint Gianna Beretta Molla.
Dr. Molla’s mother was declared a saint in 2004 by the Catholic Church and is known for her heroism in choosing a risky operation to save her daughter Gianna’s life when she was two months pregnant. The conference marks the first visit to the U.S. for St. Gianna’s daughter.
Other speakers included geriatric specialist Dr. Austin Welsh, Thomas More Society executive director Peter Breen, and Bobby Schindler and Suzanne Vitadamo – both siblings of Teri Schiavo.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City and Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph also attended the event.
Suffering is not only getting cut while shaving.
Not trivializing the issue, only pointing out that
suffering is not always physical, and when it isn’t,
then the question of life’s meaning arises that is
not often acknowledged. (My view, my dog is with stupid!)
How fortunate you were to hear Cardinal Burke.
Thank you so much for the great posts and your thoughtful ping. May Our Lord always bless you and those you love, through in His Holy Name.
Cardinal Burke impresses me greatly, as well as Dr. Molla. I look forward to the links to the videos. It sounds like you, and your sons had a wonderful time. As always, thank you very much for sharing.
You wrote:
“It is easy for those who do not suffer to blithely say “suffering is good.””
Cardinal Burke has suffered a good deal in recent years. He knows of what he speaks.
Sounds like you've incorrectly concluded that many do not suffer and that suffering, regardless of the degree, has absolutely no purpose. Use that rationale during your particular judgement and see what it gets you.
"Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God, commend their souls in good deeds to the faithful Creator." 1 Peter 4:19
The only people who don't suffer are in heaven. Cdl. Burke didn't say "suffering is good". He said that suffering is not meaningless. Big difference.
no church should do more than advise
I don't see any priests putting handcuffs on people, do you? In fact, all of the force, all of the coercion, is coming from the pro-death party, seeking to force Catholic healthcare providers, taxpayers, and others to cooperate with grave evils.
“”Suffering does not rid life of purpose””
This is so very true,dear friend
This reminds me of my mother-who after many surgeries and only 1/4 Kidney along with many other ailments throughout her life, living in constant pain,she is a beam of love to total strangers always reaching out to see their suffering and to comfort them no matter how much pain she is in.
My dad(who is a rock of faith) told me the story of a recent DR visit where my mother was in severe pain -next thing that happens in the lobby walks in a young pregnant women, the young girl,a total stranger sees my mother and starts explaining her pain of the pregnancy.
The next thing that happens is the girl praying with my mother in the lobby and excepting Christ in her life along with my mom cooking meals for the young girl and having my father deliver them to her family.
My parents(in their late 70’s) do not have much money because of excessive medical bills ,but the Lord has always provided for them to give to others
This is what happens when we UNITE our sufferings with Christ
Contact: Megan Morris, St. Gianna Physician's Guild, 888-345-3343, info@StGiannaPhysicians.org
SAN DIEGO, July 28, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Conference in Kansas City this past Saturday entitled "Being Faithful even unto Death: Catholic Wisdom on the Treatment of the Disabled and Dying," sponsored by St. Gianna Physician's Guild drew a sold out, standing room only crowd. Attendees traveled from 17 states and included physicians, psychologists, administrators, attorneys, religious and many others.
The powerful line up of speakers was headlined by the beloved Cardinal Raymond Burke who delivered a powerful address framing the Church's position on suffering and care of the disabled and dying. Other speakers included Bobby Schindler and Suzanne Vitadomo, siblings of the late Terri Schiavo who now advocate for these issues for families and patients through the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network, Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society, Dr. Austin Welsh a geriatrician and special guest Gianna Emanuela Molla, the daughter of St. Gianna who traveled here from Italy.
"The entire day exceeded all of our expectations. The atmosphere in the room when discussing and analyzing the difficult bioethical issues surrounding the care of the disabled and elderly and the momentum in society to euthanize them was that of a family gathering," said Thomas McKenna, Founder and President of St. Gianna Physician's Guild and sponsor of the event. "The importance of these issues was underscored by the participation of both dioceses of Kansas City, KS and Kansas City -- St. Joseph. It was a great blessing to have Cardinal Burke, Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Finn with us throughout the entire day."
Participants agreed that a highlight of the day came when Gianna Emmanula Molla delivered her first talk since the death of her father entitled: "My mother, St. Gianna, and the legacy she left behind." This beautiful talk gave insight to the spirituality of St. Gianna's husband and family since her death in 1962. Gianna and her siblings represent the first time ever that children were present at the canonization of their own mother.
Cardinal Burke said: "The conference addressed one of the most critical questions regarding respect for human life in our nation. It was outstanding and very edifying for me and I was very pleased to be a part of it."
A set of the conference talks will soon be available on St. Gianna Physician's Guild web site www.StGiannaPhysicians.org.
Photos available upon request.
Redemptive Suffering
Through church, Jesus ministers to all who are sick in the world
'Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer'
Pope Benedict asks sick to offer up suffering for priests (Catholic Caucus)
Why Must I Suffer?
On the Advantages of Tribulations by Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Why Be Catholic? 3: Suffering [Ecumenical]
"Love Really Can Make Suffering Bearable": Woman with Spina Bifida
Experts at Euthanasia Symposium Stress Unity, Strategy, and the Triumph of Love over Suffering
Holy Father prays for peace and unity, encourages the suffering to trust in God
Joy-Filled Suffering, Laetare Sunday
Children 'Suffering >From Lack Of Two-Parent Family', Study Finds
Pope Says Euthanasia 'False Solution' to Suffering, Alludes to Comatose Woman's Fate
Excerpts from THE FRUITS OF HIS LOVE - The Value Of Suffering - Mother M. Angelica
Why Not You? (on suffering)
Vicar takes down crucifixion sculpture 'because it's a scary depiction of suffering'
The Value of Suffering in the Life of Christian Perfection
IN BRUSH WITH DEATH, PRIEST SHOWN HELL, PURGATORY, DEGREES OF SUFFERING
Prayers to Saint Agatha [For Those Suffering from Breast Cancer]
REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING(Catholic Caucus or by Invitation Only)
Thanks Salvation. How is that arm healing?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.