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Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life groups in the United States and the family of Terri Schiavo enthusiastically received a new Vatican document saying physicians have an obligation to provide comatose patients with food and water. The document provides guidelines for making sure patients like Terri receive appropriate treatment.
In comments to LifeNews.com, Terri's father Bob Schindler said he appreciated the Catholic Church backing the obligation to feed and hydrate those persons deemed to be in a "vegetative" or even comatose state.
He said the Schindler family hopes those who administer Catholic health care and Catholic clergy and laity "who persistently ignored the basic right to life of our daughter and sister Terri ... will begin to open their eyes and hearts to the immutable and incontrovertible truth reaffirmed by the Holy See."
"We find it sad that many of those who claim to speak on behalf of the betterment of society and concern for the poor were against Terri and our efforts to care for her," he explained.
Fr. Frank Pavone, the director of Priests for Life who prayed with Terri and her family shortly before her death, said the statement appeared to perfectly address Terri's situation and those of patients like her.
"Her autopsy said that she died of dehydration. She did not die from natural causes or from any illness. She was killed," Pavone told LifeNews.com.
"Let's not confuse Terri's case with the legitimate withdrawal of medical treatment. While there is such a thing as a worthless treatment, there is never such a thing as a worthless life," he added.......................
Pro-Life Advocates, Terri Schiavo Family Welcome New Catholic Guidelines
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