Posted on 03/23/2005 7:54:56 AM PST by MI
In 1999 the Bishops of Florida pleaded with Jeb Bush for the lifes of 2 murderers.
Now the Bishop of St. Petersburg "contrary to statements from the Vatican" have washed his hands of Terri's death claiming that "it is time to allow the Lord to call a loved one (Terri) to Himself"
Statement of Bishop Robert N. Lynch
The bishops of Florida have once again addressed the issue of the withdrawal of the artificial feeding tube from Terri Schiavo. As in the past, I join them in addressing this complex and tragic situation. As the local bishop and pastor for all the family parties involved, I would like to add the following. At the end of the day (the judicial, legislative days) the decision to remove Terri’s artificial feeding tube will be that of her husband, Michael. It is he who will give the order, not the courts or certainly the governor or legislature or the medical personnel surrounding and caring for Terri. In other words, as I have said from the beginning of this sad situation, the decision will be made within a family. A significant part of that family feels they are outside of the decision-making process and they are in great pain and suffering mightily.
I urge and pray that before the finality, one last effort be made for mediation. Normally, at the end of life, families of the person in extremis agree that it is time to allow the Lord to call a loved one to Himself, feeling that they have done all they possibly might to provide alternatives to death, every possible treatment protocol which might be helpful has been attempted. There is a peace. This will not happen in this instance because of the seeming intractability of both sides. I beg and pray that both sides might step back a little and allow some mediation in these final hours. The legacy of Terri’s situation should not be that of those who love her the most, loathing the actions of one another, but of a heroic moment of concern for the feelings of each other, guided by moral and ethical considerations, with a single focus of achieving the best result for Terri. I ask the Catholics of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in the waning days of Lent to pray hard to the “Author of All Life” for Terri and for her family.
I have great difficulty reading the citation. Bp +Lynch is here being craven. I cannot say it any less strongly. To try to pretend that Michael's murderous intent is equivalent to God taking a soul to Himself in natural death is perverse (at best).
But then, I cannot be the first to say this, just the first on this thread.
In Christ,
Deacon Paul+
Can you tell me how I can add this to the Catholic Ping list?
Thank and God bless!
MI
Bishop Lynch makes me sick. He is a morally bankrupt creep who is probably keeping quiet to protect his buddies who are involved in the case, probably in return for their protecting him against the sexual harrassment and financial wrongdoing claims that surfaced against him a couple of years ago.
He's just another part of the good ol' boys club down there, and that's more important to him than being part of the Church. And none of the other bishops will ever publicly criticize a "brother bishop." Collegiality, don't you know.
I am sorry to tell you, my brother, but I do not know.
In Christ,
Deacon Paul+
I think if you ask Salvation or NYer, they could tell you, although something like this went out a couple of days ago. However, people can't be encouraged often enough to write to or call their bishops.
Thank you!
Office of the Bishop
Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch
Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg
Mrs. Angelica Iglesias
Executive Secretary for the Bishop
Phone (727) 341-6830
E-mail: VI@dosp.org
Maybe it's time to remind the good shepherd to tend to his flock.
BTTT!
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Euthanasia
2276 Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.
2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.
2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of "over-zealous" treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.
2279 Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged.
Hmmmm, he defends the rights of the non-Catholic husband over the rights of the Catholic parents. Now isn't that interesting.
How do you mediate starvation? The parents already have offered to relieve the husband of any involvement, any burden, in Terri's care. He wants to starve her until she dies. What do you mediate? This citation is chilling.
My sister, I am in total agreement with you. You cannot mediate this. It is not in the least palliative either (which is the loving care for those whose illnesses are terminal). It is simply barbaric. And to see the Bishop write something so casually dismissive...
...shakes his head...
...I do not have the words. I must pray very deeply for the priests and deacons within his jurisdiction. Those of them at all in understanding of the Christian position here (which must be to preserve her life, if possible), must be horribly conflicted. This is a clear case for homily on the value of life and the fruits of charity and love.
Perhaps there is some other position possible on this consonant with Church teaching, but I don't see it: she is helpless but not vegetative, she does not suffer from a disease or syndrome and there appears not to be any particular pain she is suffering.
All in all, it looks to me like a case of judicial murder. I think that liberals are woefully advised to be pursuing it, as better minds than I have already pointed out.
I object just on right-to-life grounds.
In Christ,
Deacon Paul+
Ping to pray for the souls of those called 'bishop'.
Try Salvation. There's another one but I can't remember their screen name at the moment.
Ping.
Like far too many of our bishops, Lynch is morally bankrupt.
How do you go about replacing 2/3 of the bishops?
"The floor of hell is lined with the skulls of bishops guilty of the sin of ommission".
And these are not even real bishops, they are apostates from the Faith and from the Church and possess no authority or jurisdiction.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Angelic Doctor of the Church, on loss of jurisdiction by heretics:
Summa, 2a 2ae, q. 39, art. 3. (Utrum schismatici habeant aliquam potestatem)
"...Potestas autem iurisdictionis est quae ex simplici iniunctione hominis confertur; et talis potestas non immobiliter adhaeret; unde in schismaticis et haereticis non manet; unde non possunt nec absolvere, nec excommunicare, nec indulgentias facere, aut aliquid huiusmodi; quod si fecerint, nihil est actum."
(Whether schismatics have any power.)
"...The power of jurisdiction, however [as opposed to the power of Orders, which he has just discussed], is that [power] which is conferred simply by the injunction of man; and this power does not adhere immovably; therefore it does not remain in schismatics and heretics. Hence they can neither absolve, nor excommunicate, nor grant indulgences, or anything of this sort. If they do this, the act is null."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.