October 23, 2003
May God Bless and Keep Terri Schiavo
Tallahassee --
Following recent
action by the Florida Legislature and Governor Jeb Bush to reinsert her
feeding tube, we urge continued prayers for Terri Schiavo, and all in her
family.
In the face of certain criticism and strongly expressed legal objection,
the Governor and lawmakers have bravely risked erring on the side of
protecting life. We applaud this courage and pray with them that clarity
and resolution will follow in this tragic case.
In their August 27, 2003
statement, the Florida Bishops acknowledged the limitations on
the court’s ability to consider new evidence, but said in matters of life
and death exceptions should be made. They urged additional time to allow
greater certainty as to Terri Schiavo’s true condition. The court’s order
to withdraw her feeding tube, repeatedly upheld by the appellate court and
refused for consideration by the Florida Supreme Court, is based on its
finding of “clear and convincing evidence” that she would wish to have her
feeding tube discontinued. The courts’ rulings reflect careful
deliberation. Still, strong and genuine belief persists that new medical
treatment will help her condition, and affidavits by physicians and others
have created doubt that removal of her feeding tube is what she would
want.
In their statements concerning Terri Schiavo, the Florida Bishops and Bishop Robert N. Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, have
clarified the Church’s teaching about when it is permissible to withhold
or withdraw nutrition and hydration. They have made clear that there
should be a presumption in favor of providing medically assisted nutrition
and hydration as long as it is of sufficient benefit to outweigh the
burdens involved to the patient. They clarified also that there are times
when one may refuse treatment, if it would result in a burdensome
prolongation of life and that this may be properly seen as an expression
of our hope in the life to come.
The Legislature will undoubtedly consider Florida’s Life-Prolonging
Procedure Act during the 2004 session. The statutory definition of
Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) does not square with clinical diagnoses
of this condition. Clarity is needed here, but regardless of how this
case is resolved, it must never be assumed that a PVS patient should
automatically have nutrition and hydration removed. This should never be
done without clearly knowing the patient’s wishes.
It is our ardent hope that while the judicial system further considers
this extraordinary and extremely difficult case, that a true and
convincing picture of Terri’s wishes and her condition will emerge. This
case is even more tragic because the courts are to decide this matter
instead of her family. A clear message to all of us is the responsibility
to convey to our families and loved ones our wishes for treatment at the
end of our lives.
May God bless and keep Terri Schiavo.
