Judie Brown, president of American Life League, issued the following statement regarding the inhumane death sentence imposed upon Terri Schiavo today with the removal of her feeding tube:
"What is happening to Terri Schiavo right now is truly a tragedy. Despite what Judge George Greer, the lawyers and the news media want the public to think, Terri Schiavo is not a 'vegetable,' nor is she 'terminally ill.' Terri functions as a living, breathing, human person who is sustained by normal hydration and nutrition – the same as every other living human person. However, as a result of today's implementation of the order to have Terri's hydration and nutrition sources removed, she will die a slow and excruciatingly painful death.
"The suffering Terri will experience throughout the remainder of her days on earth is completely avoidable, as is the suffering that her parents and so many others who respect Terri as a human person will continue to undergo. The death sentence enacted on Terri today is truly a form of cruel and unusual punishment. Terri is among the most innocent and defenseless human persons on this earth and is certainly unworthy of the treatment she is receiving from her estranged husband and the state of Florida.
"While the situation looks bleak, we must not give up hope. Now more than ever, all people of faith – most notably Terri's own Catholic Church – must offer prayers for her survival. It is absolutely necessary that Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg, along with his brother bishops across Florida and the rest of the United States, lead the faithful in petitions on Terri's behalf. If we allow Terri to die in this manner, it will mark the beginning of the acceptance of euthanasia throughout the country. Every human person deserves respect, from creation until natural death. Terri Schiavo is no exception. We must pray for a miracle to save her life."
Release issued: 18 Mar 05