special issue / terri schiavo
ANOTHER ATTEMPT IN COURT: A court-ordered stay in the case of disabled Florida woman Terri Schiavo expires at 5 pm Wednesday. At that point, her estranged husband Michael may be permitted to order the removal of the feeding tube that provides her with nutrition. Terri’s parents are set to file another legal appeal, arguing that the stay should be extended so more testing can be done. Bob and Mary Schindler say new medical technology can more accurately assess their daughter’s brain activity.
(Reading: “Citing Kansas City case, parents seek more tests for Schiavo,” Associated Press, 2/18/05)
CATHOLIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: The group finds no moral or medical justification for removing Terri’s feeding tube: “the withdrawal of food and water from Mrs. Schindler-Schiavo constitutes euthanasia, a gravely immoral act. We would add furthermore, that it represents a violation of her constitutionally protected right to life and a violation of her religious freedom as a Catholic.”
(Reading: “Regarding the provision of artificial nutrition and hydration in the case of Mrs. Terri Schindler Schiavo,” Catholic Medical Association news release, 2/19/05)
POINTS TO PONDER: Columnist Barbara Simpson writes, “Terri is not sick. Her brain is damaged. She doesn’t look or act ‘normal.’ Apparently that makes her life dispensable. It’s become OK to kill her. Consider that if you starved your dog or cat to death, you’d be in jail. In San Francisco, a new law regulates how to feed, water and house your pet. Why is a human life worth less?
(Reading: “The wonderful world of legal murder,” World Net Daily, 2/21/05)
PRAYER: God still grants miracles; please continue to pray for Terri Schiavo, her parents and those fighting on her behalf. Please pray also that God may touch those working against her — her husband, his attorneys, the judge who has repeatedly ruled against Terri.
(Reading: “Novena for the conversion of Michael Schiavo,” Children of God for Life, 2/14/05)
UPDATES: As new information becomes available, it is posted to the Schindlers’ web site, Terri’s Fight.