Editorial

Connections between Pope John Paul II and Terri Schindler Schiavo came to mind this past week. Both are battling challenges to their health and life in the glare of the news media. Both their fates lie in the hands of their caregivers and God.

Most people are aware of the Holy Father's condition, but may not know about Terri. She is a 41-year-old women who suffered brain damage at her Florida home in 1990. She now lives at a hospice house in Florida. Terri is able to breathe on her own but receives food and water through a feeding tube.

Long battle. Terri has been at the center of a long legal battle between her parents, Mary and Bob Schindler, and her estranged husband, Michael Schiavo. Although legally married to Terri, he now has two children by another woman.

Terri did not leave any written instructions on what should be done in these circumstances. Her husband says she would want the feeding tube removed. Her parents say she would want to live. Terri is a Catholic.

Catholic teaching. What does the Catholic Church say about Terri's situation? Catholic teaching has a "presumption in favor" of providing nutrition and hydration. But they may be withdrawn or withheld "when the burdens exceed the benefits of providing them," said the Florida Catholic bishops. They note that "what is too burdensome for one person may not be too burdensome for another."

Citing a talk last year by Pope John Paul II, the Catholic Medical Association said that withdrawal of food and water from Terri Schiavo "constitutes euthanasia, a gravely immoral act" and "represents a violation of her constitutionally protected right to life and a violation of her religious freedom as a Catholic."

Terri's life in jeopardy. On Feb. 25, Florida Circuit Court Judge George Greer gave Michael Schiavo permission to remove Terri's feeding tubes on March 18. The only way to save Terri's life is for the Florida legislature to take immediate action to pass legislation to save Terri and others who are in a similar situation.

Pro-life organizations, including Wisconsin Right to Life (WRTL), are urging their members to contact friends and relatives in Florida to ask them to support such legislation. "We call on all people of compassion in Wisconsin to do the same," said Barbara Lyons, WRTL executive director.

Holy Father's response. What would our Holy Father say about Terri's future? On Feb. 28, the Holy Father sent a message of comfort and hope to "all people, especially those experiencing moments of difficulty, and those suffering in body and spirit." I'm sure he included Terri in that message.

I'm sure, too, that the Holy Father would encourage us to pray for Terri, her husband, and her parents. He would remind us that Terri's life is sacred, made in the image and likeness of God, that her life and human dignity must be protected.

We should all pray for both the Holy Father and Terri Schindler Schiavo - both linked as suffering children of God, both deserving of our love and respect. Let us pray that God will be with them, their caregivers, and all those deciding their fate.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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Why the silence on Terri Schiavo?

To the editor:

In general there has been a silent complacency concerning the barbaric case of euthanasia imposed on Terri Schindler Schiavo. This judicial suicide involves a slow and grueling death resulting from starvation and dehydration.

There seems to have been a secular conspiracy of acceptance of this barbaric action by all religions and organizations with a few exceptions such as Priests for Life, St. Thomas More Society, EWTN, and Our Sunday Visitor.

Has the Culture of Death made that much progress in the U.S.A.?

Charles J. Sippel, Waterloo

Appreciates Fr. Dietzen's columns

To Fr. John Dietzen:

I read your article on priestly celibacy in the Feb. 17 issue of the Catholic Herald [print edition only]. Once again you demonstrate why your columns are the most informative, reasoned presentations on church law, rules, history, tradition, etc., of anything in our diocesan paper. It is a pleasure reading your columns.

Please keep it up.

Don Lund, Stoughton