Withdrawing Food and Fluids Would Violate Terri Schiavo’s Catholic Faith Say Parents


Attorney Patricia Anderson, representing the parents of Terri Schindler-Schiavo, filed a motion in the Sixth Judicial Circuit seeking relief of judgment based on a March 20, 2004 statement by Pope John Paul II regarding the provision of food and fluids to incapacitated statements.

In his March speech, titled “Life-Sustaining Treatments and the Vegetative State: Scientific Advances and Ethical Dilemmas,” the pope stated that “A man, even if seriously ill or disabled in the exercise of his highest functions, is and always will be a man, and he will never become a 'vegetable' or an 'animal.'”

The pope went on to say, “administration of food and water, even when provided by artificial means, always represents a natural means of preserving life, not a medical act. Death by starvation or dehydration is, in fact, the only possible outcome as a result of their withdrawal. In this sense, it ends up becoming, if done knowingly and willingly, true and proper euthanasia by omission.”

In her 12-page motion, Anderson points out that Ms. Schiavo has been a practicing Catholic her entire life (attending Catholic services, Catholic Schooling, and other faith-based training) and that the withdrawal of food and fluids that would result in an act of “euthanasia by omission” would be a violation of her religious beliefs.

Additionally, Anderson cites that “state power is no more to be used so as to handicap religions than it is to be used to favor them (Brown, supra at 182).

Terri Schindler-Schiavo is a Pinellas County woman who suffered brain damage following a mysterious medical episode in 1990. Her husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, has petitioned the courts to remove her only physical dependency — assisted sustenance and hydration. Her parents and siblings have sought guardianship of her and for the right to provide her therapy and rehabilitation.

See also:

Motion for Relief from Judgment

Appendices to Motion for Relief from Judgment

Pope John Paul II statement on Life-Sustaining Treatment

(This update courtesy of LifeSiteNews.com.)

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