February 4, 2005
By Susan Jones, CNSNews.com Morning Editor
1-877-CNS-News (877-267-6397) or 703-683-9733
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(CNSNews.com) - A number of Christian groups have announced their intention to save the life of brain-damaged Terri Schindler Schiavo, if her feeding and hydration tube is removed on orders from her husband, something that could happen soon.
In a press release, organizers of the save-Terri effort said they would encourage all those "who cherish the culture of life to come to Florida and stand in solidarity with Terri and her family should the courts order food and water withheld from her."
The groups behind the effort include the National Clergy Council, Operation Rescue, Christian Defense Coalition, Life Legal Defense Foundation, Generation Life, and Reclaiming America.
Those groups say they hope "scores" of people will come from around the country to "pray, lobby and peacefully intervene" on Terri's behalf.
"As a nation, we are judged not by how we treat the powerful and strong. Rather, we are judged by how we treat the weakest and most vulnerable in our society. Operation Rescue will do all within its power to see that Terri Schiavo is treated with dignity and respect and her right to life is protected," said Troy Newman, director of Operation Rescue.
The Reverend Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council, said his group "calls upon the State of Florida to stand with Terri Schiavo to ensure her basic civil rights are protected."
The Reverend Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, commented, "If Terri Schiavo were a pet, animal or convicted serial killer she would be given more rights and civil liberties than she is being afforded right now."
"Life Legal Defense Foundation stands in solidarity with Terri Schiavo because we believe in the sanctity of human life," said Dana Cody, the group's executive director. "If Terri's feeding tube is removed, she will die and agonizing death by dehydration and starvation that will set precedent leading to the forced death of other disabled individuals, thereby eroding the sanctity of all human life."
Brandi Swindell, national director of Generation Life, said Terri, despite her brain-damaged state, "should be guaranteed the most basic human and Constitutional rights, which are afforded to all Americans."
And finally, Dr. Gary Cass, executive director of Reclaiming America, stated that his group "will use every resource available to us to save the life of Terri Schiavo and all those who are facing similar physical challenges. This campaign will shine a spotlight on the barbaric manner in which Terri is being treated and hopefully shock the conscience of our nation so it never happens again."
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal concerning the Florida right-to-life statute dubbed "Terri's Law," which the Florida courts have declared unconstitutional.
As CNSNews.com previously reported
http://www.cnsnews.com/Nation/Archive/200501/NAT20050124b.html, the case now goes back to the Florida courtroom of Pinellas County Circuit Judge George Greer, who has ruled three times that Terri's husband Michael Schiavo could remove his wife's feeding tube.
If Greer again rules in Michael Schiavo's favor, Terri Schindler Schiavo would be expected to die of dehydration and starvation within 10 to 15 days after her feeding tube is removed.
Terri's husband, who is now living with and raising children with another woman [and has been for a decade], says Terri made it clear long ago that she would not want to live in circumstances like those that have befallen her.
But Terri's family doesn't believe Terri ever specified her wishes, and they accuse Michael Schiavo of trying to get rid of her. Terri's family has begged Michael to turn over her care to them, but there is great bitterness between the two sides and he has refused.
Copyright 2005, CNSNews.com.
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=%5CCulture%5Carchive%5C200502%5CCUL20050204b.html
FLORIDUH VOTER SAYS: Please continue to help Terri, even five minutes a day on the phone can help save her life. Thanks, FV
Terri ping to 297! If anyone would like to be added to or removed from my Terri ping list, please let me know by FReepmail!
If I could be there, I would. But I'm always with Terri in spirit.
If I can get there, I will be there. It is heartening to know so many will stand with Terri and her family.