Living Catholicism: Prayers for Terri Schiavo

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March 16, 2005

Prayers for Terri Schiavo

We haven't mentioned this case much on Living Catholicism, but it is at the heart of the Pope's message on being pro-life. Terri Schiavo was injured in an unexplained accident that left her severely disabled. Currently she has to be fed through a tube in the hospital. For the past several years her husband has been fighting for the right to remove her food and water so that she starves to death. On the other side are her parents who have argued that Michael Schiavo should pass her to them and allow them to care for her.

This Friday the courts have decreed that Terri Schiavo must be starved to death. Her food and water will be removed (absent a last ditch effort both by her parent's lawyers and the state of Florida). Many have chosen to fast with Terri during this time and pray to God that she be saved. This case is true euthanasia - life support isn't being removed, food and water are being removed (that would kill any of us).

This is a good opportunity to explain to children the value of suffering and the problems of euthansia. It's also a good opportunity to do instead of just saying: fast along with Terri and pray that God intervenes. This has more of an impact on your children than mere words.

Having said that, as pro-life Catholics we need to protect life at both ends - Terri's life is inherently valuable even if not valuable on a utilitarian measure. She might not be able to generate economic rewards, but the fact that she is a living human being means she has inherent diginity in life, no matter her condition. If Pope John Paul II has taught us anything over the last few years, this is it.

I ask that we all pray ardently for Terri Schiavo. Consider fasting (smaller meals) for God's intervention in this case. Pray also for Michael Schiavo, who could fix the problem immediately through repentence. And pray for our nation that this not be allowed to occur again. This woman is a living creation of God, an eternal soul, who deserves the same right to life that we do. Please keep her in your prayers.

God bless,
Jay

Posted by jay at March 16, 2005 10:48 AM