The Vatican newspaper on Monday criticized the removal of a feeding tube from a brain-damaged Florida woman, saying nobody can claim the right to decide whether a human being lives or dies.
"Who can, before God and humanity, pretend with impunity to claim such a right?" L'Osservatore Romano said. "Who — and on the basis of which criteria — can establish to whom the 'privilege' to live should be given?"
The remarks from the Vatican paper, which reflected earlier comments from several Vatican prelates, came after the U.S. Congress passed a law in an emergency session giving Terri Schiavo's parents the right to file suit in federal court over the withdrawal of nourishment and medical treatment needed to sustain their daughter. President Bush has signed the bill.
"Who can judge the dignity and sacredness of the life of a human being, made in the image and likeness of God? Who can decide to pull the plug as if we were talking about a broken or out of order household appliance?" the paper said.
"In a Miami hospital there's a woman who is about to die from hunger and thirst. There is the slow dying of a person — not a 'vegetable' — which an impotent world is witnessing through TV and newspapers."
The 41-year-old woman's feeding tube was removed Friday on a Florida judge's order. Schiavo could linger for one or two weeks if the tube is not reinserted — as has happened twice before, once on a judge's order and once after Gov. Jeb Bush signed "Terri's Law," which was later declared unconstitutional.
The paper said that the case "is shaking America" but added that "in the ongoing debate, the lowest-level political controversy and the subtle game of legal tricks often end up prevailing."
Schiavo suffered severe brain damage 15 years ago. Her husband says Schiavo told him she would not want to be kept alive in a vegetative state. Her parents say she needs treatment and another opportunity for life.
"Terri's long, heartbreaking agony today is the agony of the meaning of God, the lord and creator of life," the paper concluded. "It is the agony of the love that can bend over the frail and needy. It is the agony of mankind."
Earlier this month, the Vatican's point man on bioethical issues, Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, said removing Schiavo's breathing tube would be a direct act of euthanasia and "a pitiless way to kill."
The Vatican newspaper on Monday criticized the removal of a feeding tube from a brain-damaged Florida woman, saying nobody can claim the right to decide whether a human being lives or dies.
Certainly no surprise here.
Well isn't this exactly what they are doing by demanding the tube stay inserted? Her body certainly cannot sustain itself on its own so how is it that they can ask such a question?
Just preserve life because it can be preserved I guess. And somehow they believe that it's the will of God to sustain her life in this condition. Go figure.
Governor Bush on Kosovo war exit strategy in 99 ” Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
President Bush on Iraq war exit strategy from 2003 to 2008. “ “
And so why is the Vatican, once again, sticking their noses into political matters in the United States? or into anyone elses for that matter?
Since when is the United States a puppet of Rome?
quote:
Earlier this month, the Vatican's point man on bioethical issues, Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, said removing Schiavo's breathing tube would be a direct act of euthanasia and "a pitiless way to kill."
To the Vatican: Ye of little faith....If God can restore her health with the feeding tube...He sho nuff can do it without.
oneofpeace said this in post #2 : Well isn't this exactly what they are doing by demanding the tube stay inserted? Her body certainly cannot sustain itself on its own so how is it that they can ask such a question?
I asked this same question on another thread...Im glad someone else sees it the same way!
quote:
sowhatsthetruth said this in post #3 : God could very easily perform a miracle while she has the feeding tube out.
Exactly!!!...and that is what I was talking about last night...in so many words that is.
quote:
sowhatsthetruth said this in post #4 : And so why is the Vatican, once again, sticking their noses into political matters in the United States? or into anyone elses for that matter?
Since when is the United States a puppet of Rome?
To the Vatican: Ye of little faith....If God can restore her health with the feeding tube...He sho nuff can do it without.
I knew there would come a time when we would finally agree on something!
Of course thats just my opinion....I could be wrong. (Dennis Miller)
"You might be the toughest little whacker. . .but in my world, you're about as worrisome as a cloudy day." (Dutch Dooley)
If there was going to be a MIRACLE performed, I think that it would have been a long time ago!!!
And there is NO REASON why the Vatican should be getting involved. This is ALL a load of crap. Once again, religion, and politics, are getting involved where they shouldn't.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Are Terri and her family religious? Unless she is a follower of the Church, I don't see what the Vatican could possibly have to do with ANYTHING in this case.
I'm sorry... but what a severe load of CRAP!! Is her mother that brain dead, to believe that? Where does the bible state THAT?!??? ARGH! This is why gov't and religion shouldn't be involved!!! CRAP CRAP CRAP!
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
The Catholic Church should get involved, Terri is Catholic,she received Holy Communion thru her feeding tube and then wine in her mouth with a dropper. Communion again, She also received the Annointingof the sick or better known as last Rites.
All you non Catholics just love to have something to squawk about the Cathoics.
Here is the official response and it is very clear on its position:
Press Misrepresents Catholic Teaching on End of Life Issues
NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
The prominence of the Terri Schiavo case has brought unprecedented media attention to the Catholic Church's teaching on end-of-life issues. But media portrayals of Church teaching are often inaccurate and misleading, according to two prominent Catholic ethicists.
Father Thomas Williams, dean of the theology department of Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, and Richard Doerflinger, Deputy Director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, both said the Church makes a distinction between ordinary and extraordinary care. The first is always required while the second is not.
Story Continues Below
"The Church teaches that we have a moral obligation to support life," Doerflinger said. "That obligation has limits. People talk about ordinary and extraordinary means. That just means that when the efforts to sustain life start doing more harm than good to the patient the moral obligation ceases to apply. Even then you should never abandon a patient and never deny them the basic care owed to everyone because of their human dignity."
Father Williams quotes from Pope John Paul II's 1995 encyclical, The Gospel of Life, when trying to define extraordinary means.
"The Pope uses two sets of terms. For treatment to be considered extraordinary death must be 'imminent and inevitable' and the treatment would result in 'precarious and burdensome prolongation of life,'" he said. An example might be a cancer victim who, after several rounds of treatment, has found chemotherapy to be ineffective and foregoes the treatment in order to avoid its side effects.
Father Williams and Doerflinger said that in some instances it can be extremely difficult to determine the difference between extraordinary and ordinary care and that in such instances people must follow their conscience. But both men said the Schiavo case is clear cut.
"From a Catholic perspective, this is an open and shut case," Father Williams said. According to Doerflinger, "food and water should always be seen as basic care," a teaching made abundantly clear in an address by Pope John Paul II in March, 2004, he said.
It seems some of you anti Catholics would prefer the Holy Father stay out of the business of its flock. Thats not what Jesus preaches so look at it this way, We are against the removal of the feeding tube and declare that food and water are essential to life.
Delta
."
aka deltacent aka deltater
Life may not be the party I had hoped for.......
But while I'm here I might just as well listen to the music and dance..
Agenda there is no AGENDA T it is the basic teachings of our Church.
What about the AGENDA of your Church? Do they feel that removing the tube is the right thing? Or are they waiting for a miracle before this woman goes thru the agonies of dying?
Do you know what is happening in her body as we speak?
Her organs are shutting down one by one. Its amazing she has lasted this long. My wish now is for God to take her and release her from her earthly body and pain. They are giving her Morphine,did you know that?
She is slowly disintegrating, no hydration means skin is falling off, her organs one by one will shut down as water is 98% of the total body weight.
She is suffering like Our LOrd did.
No excuse for this and how do you explain the Govtmt getting into this situation? Thats oK but the Catholic opinion is not. Phooey T.
I am Catholic and will print the truth
D
aka deltacent aka deltater
Life may not be the party I had hoped for.......
But while I'm here I might just as well listen to the music and dance..
I have posted our view of this already on this forum.
So what's the RCC gonna do if John Paul needs to be on life support? Keep him on it for another 10-20 years?
And who will your pope be in the interim...he'd still be alive but nonfunctional?
We as Christians are the last people who should be afraid of death....why are these people focusing on physical life?....eternal life is more important for Christians.
And if she's saved...why keep her vegitative for another 50 years when she can be with Jesus in heaven straightaway.
03-21-2005 06:14 PM
