Jeb Bush intervenes for Schindler-Schiavo

Florida Bishops' Plea for Murderer's Life Called 'Beyond Offensive'

By Jeff Johnson
CNSNews.com Congressional Bureau Chief
August 26, 2003

Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - Friends and family of a disabled woman at the center of a Florida euthanasia controversy expressed outrage Monday that Florida's Catholic bishops are pleading for the life of an admitted murderer on death row but have not come to the defense of the disabled woman whose husband is seeking to have the state end her life.

The criticisms came Monday morning, before the parents of Terri Schindler Schiavo learned that their daughter had been hospitalized in critical condition for the second time in less than two weeks.

The Florida Catholic Conference called on Gov. Jeb Bush Monday to commute to "life in prison without possibility of parole" the death sentence of Paul Hill. Hill was convicted of the 1994 shotgun murders of an abortionist and his driver, and in correspondence with the Miami Herald about the murders, stated: "If I were put in similar circumstances, I believe I would act similarly."

The agency that represents Florida's Catholic bishops in public policy matters issued a press release Monday stating: "Abortion kills unborn children, hurts women and is a terrible wrong; taking lives as Paul Hill did is no less a terrible wrong." The contact listed on the statement is D. Michael McCarron, executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference.

Pamela Hennessy, volunteer media coordinator for the family of Terri Schindler Schiavo, wrote McCarron as soon as she learned of the bishops' public stand on Hill's scheduled Sept. 3 execution.

"I respectfully request that you convey to the Florida bishops that, if all life is truly sacred, their defense of a convicted killer coupled with their disinterest in the life of a disabled and innocent woman is beyond offensive," Hennessy wrote. "I know that Floridians of all denominations would readily agree with me."

Terri Schiavo suffered a brain injury in 1990 as a result of oxygen deprivation to the brain. Her husband, Michael Schiavo, maintains that the injury was the result of heart failure. Terri's family believes Michael assaulted her and that the oxygen depravation was the result of strangulation. No criminal charges have been filed against Michael Schiavo, and police are not investigating the allegations, which his attorney has denied.

After winning a medical malpractice claim against Terri's doctor and receiving a cash award, Michael Schiavo suspended all but subsistence care for his wife and petitioned the Pinellas County Circuit Court to allow him to stop providing her nutrition and hydration through a "feeding tube." Terri's parents, siblings and friends have been fighting in court to save her life.

What bothers Terri Schiavo's supporters most about the bishops' choice to defend Hill, Hennessy explained, is their apparent decision to ignore settled Catholic doctrine on more than one issue in Terri's case.

"It is extremely troublesome to me that a Catholic woman, Terri Schiavo, would not be the first priority of the Florida bishops for the promotion of their belief that life is sacred," Hennessy wrote. "It is further troublesome that these same bishops have not vigorously defended the Pope's position on euthanasia and their own Catholic teachings on adultery. (Mr. Schiavo has fathered a child with his present girl friend, though he is still married to Terri.)"

Sheila Hopkins, an associate for social concerns with the Florida Catholic Conference, said Monday afternoon that the decision to issue the statement concerning Paul Hill's impending execution was purely coincidental to any of the events in Terri Schiavo's ongoing struggle.

"Normally, we only [issue a press release] a couple of days before the execution. Because of the intensity of the media on the Paul Hill case, because it involves the fact that he had killed an abortionist, that generated a lot of media coverage," Hopkins said. "So, it was strictly by coincidence that this was released on the same day as the end of the order for Terri Schiavo."

Hopkins stressed that the Florida bishops were not trying to give the impression that one human life has more value than another.

"It certainly doesn't mean the bishops are saying that Paul Hill is more important than Terri Schiavo because, certainly, we're concerned about both cases," Hopkins explained. "All people are made in the image and likeness of God, whether it's an unborn baby, a person on death row or somebody who is incapacitated as Terri is; certainly, we're concerned about all of these people."

Bishops discuss 'dignity of human life' and 'unequivocally condemn' murder

The Florida Catholic Conference statement condemned convicted murderer Paul Hill's actions but said: "When society can be kept safe from criminals, we should not execute them."

"[Hill's] brutal murders of Dr. John Britton and Lt. Col. James Barrett outside of an abortion clinic were an unjustifiable attack on human life, and we unequivocally condemn and renounce his actions," the bishops wrote.

Hennessy pointed out what she believes is, at the very least, an incongruity between the bishops' limited defense of Hill and their silence in Terri Schiavo's case.

"In the interest of consistency, I would think the Florida bishops would also unequivocally condemn and renounce the actions of Michael Schiavo pursuing the death of his own wife through the Florida courts," Hennessy wrote

In explanation for their position on the Hill execution, the bishops cite the intrinsic value of human life.

"[Hill's] execution will further desensitize society's understanding of the sacredness of all human life," the bishops wrote. "The dignity of human life can never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Regardless of Paul Hill's actions, we must learn to respect every human life, including the lives of those who fail to show that respect for others."

Again, Hennessy sees a lack of consistency on the part of the bishops.

"I assume the 'dignity of human life' applies to people who have not done evil as well, correct?" Hennessy asked.

But what seemed, to Hennessy, to be the greatest contradiction is the treatment Paul Hill can expect to receive if his sentence is commuted, compared to what Terri Schiavo will endure if her "sentence" is carried out.

"During this proposed life sentence in prison, Mr. Hill will be provided food, water and proper care and therapy for any medical condition or ailment he may develop," Hennessy observed. "Conversely, Ms. Schiavo will have food and water withheld in order to cause her death, and she has been denied proper care and therapy to address her medical needs."

Hennessy added that, if the bishops can put forth the effort to issue a press release begging for Paul Hill's life, they could at least do the same for Terri Schiavo.

"I would think it would be a small and easy task for the Florida bishops to make a public statement condemning the imminent starvation and dehydration death of Terri Schiavo, a disabled woman, at the hands of her husband and the Florida courts," Hennessy added.

Supporters also upset over scheduling of 'death date' hearing

Pinellas County Circuit Judge George Greer late Friday set the date for what Terri Schiavo's supporters are calling her "death hearing." The date Greer chose for that proceeding, Sept. 11, 2003, has many of the Schindler family's friends upset.

"We know that there's going to be much about the tragedy in this country, and all media and all news and all press will be focused on that to where Terri's story and her plight may not get the attention it deserves," Hennessy said.

How is it that YOU did not post this article FIRST? LOL

I know you are a big fan of Jeb Bush. I applaud him for his decision.

pro-life bump

Thankyou Jesus! Thankyou Jeb Bush.

And no thanks to the pucilanimous Florida Catholic clergy.

Jeb! 2008

Thanks for all the email addresses. I'll get busy.

You're very welcome. After reading a bit of this history. I believe both the judge and the husband belong in jail and the mother should be Terri's guardian.

A child would know this is wrong, imho.

How is it that YOU did not post this article FIRST? LOL

ROTFLMAO.... :)

I applaud him for his decision.

Same here. Thanks for your post, independentmind. :)

RE your post #61 - Very interesting article.

Had he intervened any sooner, shouts of interference with the judicial process would have accompanied any move he made.

Let me see if I understand your point. Jeb could not involve himself in the case before now, because it would look bad for a governor to involve himself in a case before the courts. So while this case is still being decided by the court Jeb issued a letter making an intervention in the court. You seem to be saying that an intervention by a governor in the courts is not an intervention by a governor if he waits until after the supreme court decision on a preliminary ruling on a matter before the court.. UHHHH HUH!!! OK I got it figured out.. You used to date Paul Begala.... right? Whatever did he whisper in your ear?

In seems to me it matters not if a governor intervenes in a court before or after a preliminary ruling is upheld. Either way it involves the governor making an intervention in the courts.

Would the governor look more like a court bully by taking on the Supreme court or the local county court? Should he intervene in the local court early or late? The decision was ... WHEN... not .. IF ... to intervene.

Gov. Bush just intervened in the local court DESPITE the Supreme courts decision AGAINST his position. It takes GUTS to do that... not fear of criticism.

I rest my case or at least plan to cool it off in the 'frig until it is ready for human, or in my case inhuman, consumption.

bttt

Bumped and emailed.

You used to date Paul Begala.... right? Whatever did he whisper in your ear?

LOL....I just think Gov Bush was waiting for the court to render its decision, and it did, late Friday. I guess he could have also filed an amicus brief prior to Friday, but other than doing that, I don't know what he could have done. I think he did the right thing here. Maybe we can agree on that. And leave my private life out of it. :)

It takes GUTS to do that.

I'll agree with you on that point. Gov Bush has often been a gutsy governor.

Hope I don't get severely burned in the ensuing flame war, but WHY should a family keep artificially alive (long-term) someone who is a vegetable? Or is that not the case here?

Thanks to Jeb, thanks to everyone who emailed him.

This gives Terri another reprieve. Let's continue to pray that Terri's life will continue, and that her parents, priest, and others who love her will be allowed to see her and interact with her once again.

And can we put Joseph Druce in a room alone with Mike Schiavo for about ten minutes?

Great news! Hooray for Jeb Bush! Hooray for Terri! Hooray for life!

Thank you, God for sending us a righteous man in a powerful position. Please continue to protect her.