[Robert Drobot]

Florida Bishops Reject 'Euthanasia' in Terri Schiavo Case

Below are portions of the article written for CNSNews.com by their Congressional Bureau Chief, Jeff Johnson, 29 August 2003

The bishops of the conference had been criticized for their initial lack of comment on the matter, which they left to Terri's local bishop, Robert N. Lynch. In an October 15, 2002, statement, Lynch had said that the church would "refrain from passing judgment on the actions of anyone in this tragic moment." But in an August 12, 2003, statement, Lynch reversed course.

"I strongly recommend that...Terri's family be allowed to attempt a medical protocol which they feel would improve her condition," Lynch wrote in a two-and-a-half-page .

The outcry against the remainder of Lynch's colleagues intensified August 25, when they issued a clemency request to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on behalf of Paul Hill, who has been sentenced to die Sept. 3 for the shotgun murders of an abortionist and his driver.

[Comment: Compare the weak and evasive comments given thus far about Terri's fight for life, with their vigorous demand that Governor Bush act to spare a convicted killer Paul Hill].

Pamela Hennessy, volunteer media coordinator for Terri's family, wrote to the executive director of the conference as soon as she learned of the bishops' public stand on Hill's scheduled execution.

"I respectfully request that you convey to the Florida bishops that, if all life is truly sacred, their defense of a convicted killer coupled with their disinterest in the life of a disabled and innocent woman is beyond offensive," Hennessy wrote. "I know that Floridians of all denominations would readily agree with me."

Although they do not acknowledge Hennessy's letter or the ensuing media coverage and public outcry [spelled : FreeRepublic.com], the bishops issued their statement just two days later.

[pc93]

See post 412 and this guys assinine commentary.

[Robert Drobot]

I neglected to include the link. Sorry.

"I strongly recommend that...Terri's family be allowed to attempt a medical protocol which they feel would improve her condition," Lynch wrote in a two-and-a-half-page statement.

[Theodore R.]

Are the bishops saying that removal of a feeding tube of a person who can breathe on his own is NOT euthanasia? What about the agony of starvation? Did not the bishops come to the defense of Bobby Sands, who starved himself to death in 1981 regarding Northern Ireland-British controversies?

[Mo1]

"It is extremely troublesome to me that a Catholic woman, Terri Schiavo, would not be the first priority of the Florida bishops for the promotion of their belief that life is sacred," Hennessy wrote. "It is further troublesome that these same bishops have not vigorously defended the Pope's position on euthanasia and their own Catholic teachings on adultery. (Mr. Schiavo has fathered a child with his present girl friend, though he is still married to Terri.)"

As a Catholic women .. I have to agree with her .. their stance on this issue is baffling and they should taken a stronger stance