The Struggle to Save Terri

[Guest guest]

From the pages of Life Matters! (http://cureltd.blogspot.com) . . .

 

 

 

This month's issue of " Catholic World Report, " features " The Struggle to Save

Terri " by CURE advisor Fr. Rob Johansen as the cover story. As Fr. Johansen

writes on Thrown Back:

 

 

 

" In this article, I relate some of the personal experiences of the Schindler

family, and my own experiences in helping them, in their efforts to save Terri's

life. I describe the circumstances of how I came to be involved in her case, and

my reactions to the inhuman treatment to which she is subjected, such as her

husband Michael's denial of a priest's visits:

 

 

 

" I had never heard of a patient being denied pastoral care before. I can't even

imagine the kind of hardness of heart required to take such a position. Even

condemned criminals are given access to clergy! But Terri Schiavo, who was

guilty of no crime, was denied something we commonly provide to the most heinous

of criminals. It seemed to me that Judge Greer had decided that Terri was so

sub-human that she is could be denied even spiritual comfort and consolation. I

wrote at the time:

 

 

 

" As a priest, I cannot imagine being in Msgr. Malanowski's position. I simply

could not stand for such interference with my ministry. I would be inclined to

seek every means possible to disobey the order and visit Terri. An unjust law is

no law at all. Similarly, a capricious, inhuman, unjust and gratuitous judge's

order is no order at all.

 

 

 

" There is a long standing tradition in the Church of defying Caesar when he

trespasses beyond his rightful authority. There is a well-established tradition

of resisting Caesar when he attempts to deprive the Church of her legitimate

prerogatives. And so, I reiterate the suggestion I made a couple of weeks ago:

It is time to consider civil disobedience.

 

 

 

" It seemed to me that this deprivation of Terri's right to spiritual care was

the final indignity. If this wasn't sufficient motivation to condemn Terri's

treatment and mobilize opposition, nothing would be. "

 

 

 

The article isn't available on line yet, but we will provide a link on Life

Matters! as soon as it is. Our appreciation, as always, to Fr. Johansen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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