Editorial

When someone dies, we often reminisce about our memorable experiences with that person. The same was true for Pope John Paul II.

During his final days of illness and then his death, I kept remembering the three times I was in his presence. These were very special times for me, experiences that strengthened my faith.

• Links to coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II

The first time I saw the Holy Father was in 1979 in Des Moines, Iowa. This was during his first visit to the United States almost a year after he became pope.

A group of quilters from the Diocese of Madison had made a banner to be displayed over the altar at Living History Farms outside of Des Moines, the site of the papal Mass. So some people from our diocese drove to Des Moines because of that connection with our diocese.

Over 300,000 people gathered on the hillside in the country for this outdoor Mass. It was autumn and we could see the fruits of the harvest in the fields around us.

The Holy Father flew in by helicopter and landed near the altar. The crowd cheered as he arrived, but became quiet as the Mass began. As the pope preached, I couldn't help but think of Christ speaking of the Beatitudes on the Sermon on the Mount. Our Holy Father indeed is the Vicar of Christ on earth, and this experience brought that truth home so clearly to me (at that time a 30-year-old eager to hear this dynamic pope representing Christ on earth).

In 2004, almost 25 years later, I was again privileged to see the Holy Father during our diocesan pilgrimage. We were in the pope's presence two times: at a Pentecost Vigil service and at the general audience. Fortunately the Holy Father was in good health and able to preach and travel throughout the crowd. For the audience, we were in the front row and he looked in our eyes as he passed by our group. He challenged us to be witnesses to the faith like the Apostles at Pentecost, to go out into the world to be "sowers of hope, agents of mercy and peace."

Perhaps the best thing we can do to honor Pope John Paul II's memory is to continue to be witnesses to our faith in the church and in the world by following in his footsteps - and the footsteps of Christ, his savior and ours.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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How can you starve Terri?

To the editor:

In the Holy Thursday Gospel according to John, we hear Jesus, after washing his disciples feet, say, "If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do" (John 13:14-15).

Jesus spoke about eternal life and how we will be judged by him at the end of time. "Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, . . . ill and you cared for me, . . . Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25: 34-36, 40).

Those who didn't treat their brothers right what was their judgment? "And these will go off to eternal punishment . . ." Matthew 25:46).

As of today, Terri Schiavo is in her seventh day without food or water. Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, have filed a number of appeals to our judicial system in an attempt to have her feeding tube reinserted. They have been denied thus far in every court venue with one last hope with the United States Supreme Court.

Various opinion polls indicate that the majority of Americans agree with the decision to remove Terri's feeding tube. I expect that many of those who support this decision are Christian.

My question to them is this: How can you reconcile your support in starving Terri Schiavo by denying her food and water, with the words of Jesus quoted from Scripture above?

Terri Schiavo is a human being, created in God's image. She is not a vegetable but a child of God who deserves our love and support.

She is disabled, yes, but she has not lost her dignity as a member of the human race. Food and water are basic necessities that fall within the parameters of ordinary care.

As I prepare to participate in the Holy Triduum, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter vigil services, my prayers go out to the Schiavo family. Their daughter is being starved to death and our country's legal and medical systems and a majority of Americans have turned a blind eye to what is taking place.

Our culture continues its slide into the "culture of death." May we, with God's help and intercession, change the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens to respect all life from conception until natural death.

Pat Hardyman, Blanchardville

Facts are being suppressed

To the editor:

How is it that our nation has come to such a state? If anyone dare starve a sick cat or dog to death, the pet lovers of America would go ballistic! We don't treat animals that way, but people - that's acceptable. Nothing wrong with starving people to death if they are incapacitated.

Never mind that death by starvation was one of the methods favored by the Nazis to horrify and intimidate prisoners in their death camps. The howls and tortured screams of the condemned echoed for days through the camps, at last diminishing to pitiful moans and whimpers until silenced by death.

Why are so many facts about Terri Schiavo being suppressed? She breathes on her own, is not on a ventilator, respirator, or heart machine. She simply gets her nutrition via a gastric feeding tube. Terri tries to speak, smiles, and responds appropriately to questions and commands. She tries to kiss her parents.

Evidence strongly suggests her brain damage is the result of domestic violence. X-rays in 1991 revealed multiple fractures and head trauma.

Furthermore, on one occasion following a visit by Michael Schiavo during which he closed the door, the attending nurse found Terri uncharacteristically comatose and unresponsive. She also found 14 needle marks on her body and empty insulin vials hidden in the trash.

Could it be Michael Schiavo wants his wife dead so she can never testify against him for attempted murder?

A former girlfriend of Mr. Schiavo stated he had stalked her on numerous occasions, leaving her terrified and fearing for her life.

After winning a million-dollar lawsuit on "Terri's rehabilitation," Michael Schiavo forbade her any access to therapy. In the 2000 court case to remove her feeding tube, Terri was denied her own legal representation. Schiavo refuses to permit Terri to be videotaped to better conceal the level of her functions.

He has denied her attendance at hospice functions, denied her use of a wheelchair, forbade her to be wheeled outdoors, and melted down her wedding ring to make jewelry for himself.

And Terri's beloved cats? He killed them, too - even after Terri's parents offered to care for them.

Judy Winter, Platteville