Catholic Fire

Statement of the Schindler Family Pinellas Park, FL – As you are aware, Terri is now with God and she has been released from all earthly burdens. After these recent years of neglect at the hands of those who were supposed to protect and care for her, she is finally at peace with God for eternity. We are speaking on behalf of our entire family this evening as we share some thoughts and messages to the world regarding our sister and the courageous battle that was waged to save her life from starvation and dehydration. We have a message for the volunteers that have helped our family: Thank you for all that you’ve done for our family. Thank you to the hundreds of doctors who volunteered to help Terri. Thank you to the fifty doctors who provided statements under oath to help Terri. Thank you to the lawyers who stood for Terri’s life in the courtrooms of our nation. From running our family’s website, to driving us around, to making meals, to serving in so many ways—thank you to all of the

Cardinal calls those who helped Schiavo die 'accomplices to murder' By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Whoever stands idly by without trying to prevent the death of Terri Schindler Schiavo becomes an accomplice to murder, said Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The death of the severely brain-damaged woman "would represent a homicide in which it is impossible to idly stand by without becoming accomplices," he said in a March 31 interview with Vatican Radio. Schiavo died March 31, nearly two weeks after her feeding tube was removed.The Italian cardinal made his comments the day after the U.S. Supreme Court and a federal appeals court refused to intervene and order doctors in Florida to resume feeding Schiavo.The 41-year-old woman's feeding tube was removed March 18 after a decision by a Florida state judge allowed the husband, Michael Schiavo, to order doctors to take out the tube. Prior to the ann

The Life You Save May Be Your Own In the wake of Terri Schiavo's death, there will be, and should be, legislative efforts to protect patients who are fed with feeding tubes from being summarily starved to death. As often as not, patients who are placed on feeding tubes are capable of swallowing. The reason they are given "assisted feeding" through tubes is primarily because hand feeding is a time consuming task for the staff in long-term care facilities. In other words, it is easier and cheaper to feed the minimally conscious through a feeding tube. It also reflects the assumption that the patient can't enjoy his or her food, so way bother passing it over the tongue? On the more noble side, use of a feeding tube allows the nursing staff to verify that the calorie intake is at the level proscribed. One of the dangers of using feeding tubes is that the muscles used to swallow may atrophy for lack of exercise. Thus, some patients may not be immediately able to swallow wi

Mel Gibson: Terri's Killing Is 'Murder' In his strongest comments yet on the Terri Schiavo case, Mel Gibson calls her killing "nothing more than state-sanctioned murder." The actor and director spoke out Wednesday night in a telephone interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. "I heard their cry for help," Gibson explained his public comments. Gibson insisted that Terri Schiavo is not in a vegetative state. Gibson said he decided to take a public stand because "it is completely wrong to deprive this poor woman of food and water." He added that the court-ordered method of killing – depriving Terri Schiavo of basic sustenance – "is a prolonged and cruel execution." Gibson said he is closely following the case and is astounded by the developments. "I just sit here watching this whole scenario play out in front of me with my mouth wide open that our country has come to this," he said, adding, "I think it’s a really black day.&q

Terri Schiavo Dies of Thirst Estranged husband barred family from her bedside in final moments Terri Schiavo, 1963-2005 Terri Schiavo, the brain-injured Florida woman at the center of an intense euthanasia battle played out on a national stage, died shortly after 9 a.m. Eastern time. The news came after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected yet another appeal by her parents, Robert and Mary Schindler. The Schindlers had pleaded with son-in-law Michael Schiavo to allow them to be with their daughter in her final hours, but according to family spokesmen, they were not present when she died. The decision by the Supreme Court last night to not intervene was the sixth since 2000. The emergency request argued the federal courts did not consider whether there was enough "clear and convincing" evidence that Terri Schiavo had expressed a wish to not live in her current condition. The trial court in Pinellas County, Fla., determined she was in a persistent vegetative state. The Schindlers co

Abortion Has a Damaging Psychological Effect says Psychiatrist In a letter published in the National Post yesterday, Toronto psychiatrist Dr. Joseph Berger attests that, even "years after abortion," a "profound sense of loss" and regret still remain for most women. "In more than 30 years of clinical practice as a psychiatrist, I have not come across an adult woman who, years after having had an abortion, has not had deep regrets, sadness and often a profound sense of loss, especially if she has not had any children," said Dr. Joseph Berger. Research conducted by the Elliott Institute's David Reardon, and other researchers have found a significant increase in mental illness in women with a previous history of abortion. In 2003, the Elliott Institute team of researchers conducted a study measuring the incidence of hospital admissions for mental health reasons, comparing women with a previous history of abortion to those who had given birth to live child

Schiavo's parents pray with Rev. Jesse Jackson PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — The parents of Terri Schiavo met and prayed Tuesday with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who called her impending death "an injustice.'' Joining the conservatives who have rallied to the parents' cause, the liberal Jackson said he would call state senators who opposed legislation that would have reinserted Schiavo's feeding tube and ask them to reconsider. Terri Schiavo was in her 12th day without food and water. Her husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, has insisted that he was carrying out her wishes by having her feeding tube pulled. His lawyer said Monday that an autopsy was planned to show the extent of Terri Schiavo's brain damage. Jackson's arrival Tuesday was greeted by some applause and cries of "This is about civil rights.'' "I feel so passionate about this injustice being done, how unnecessary it is to deny her a feeding tube, water, not even ice to be used for he

Terri Schiavo Allowed to Receive Communion PINELLAS PARK, Fla. AP via Wired News: Their hopes fading and legal options exhausted, Terri Schiavo's parents appeared quietly resigned Sunday to watching her die but could claim one Easter victory: The severely brain-damaged woman received a drop of communion wine on her tongue _ her only sustenance in nine days _ after her husband allowed her to receive the sacrament. Outside the hospice where Schiavo is being cared for, five protesters were arrested, and about a half-dozen people in wheelchairs got out of them and lay in the driveway, shouting "We're not dead yet!" Schiavo's husband, who a day earlier denied a request from his wife's parents that she be given communion, granted permission Sunday to offer the sacrament.

Video of Carla Sauer Iyer on Michael Schiavo: "I want the public to know the truth" This video was submitted by one Jackson's Junction's readers with the headline "Amazing Video - Schiavo Case". When you've finished watching it, we think you will agree. Carla Sauer Iyer worked as a caregiver for Terri Schiavo and the story she tells is incredible. She claims that she reported Michael Schiavo to her supervisors and police for injecting Terri with Insulin in an effort to deepen her comma or bring death to her quicker. She states she was fired from her job when she reported these and other allegations to proper authorities. And viewers, according to Carla, a police report was filed. View the video

The Latest Information on Terri Source: Sean Hannity radio program – March 22, 2005 "When will the B---- die?" Michael Schiavo was heard saying this many times by Terri’s caregivers. He bragged to them about how rich he would be when she died. He closed the door each time he visited Terri and, after he left, Terri cried and was very upset. There is suspicion that he injected Terri with insulin during his visits to her, which resulted in her erratic, emotional behavior. The federal judge assigned to Terri’s case could not have reviewed Terri’s massive collection of records overnight. Congress gave him the opportunity to review this case anew, to schedule a new trial, but he simply refused to do that. This is another example of the arrogance of our current corrupt judicial system. Michael stopped a nurse from using a wash cloth on Terri’s hands to keep her fingers from curling up, because that was considered therapy and he refused her all necessary therapy, but wanted her to di

Judge Denies Request to Reinsert Feeding Tube Schiavo's parents plan to take case to federal appeals court From World Net daily: A federal judge early this morning refused to order reinsertion of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube, leaving the fate of the severely brain-injured Florida woman unresolved. After emergency intervention by Congress and President Bush, the judge heard a request by the parents of Terri Schiavo to restore the life-sustaining feeding tube. The tube was removed Friday afternoon after Florida courts rejected a flurry of motions by Robert and Mary Schindler to keep their daughter alive. In a 13-page ruling, U.S. District Judge James Whittemore of Tampa said the 41-year-old woman's parents had not established a "substantial likelihood of success" at trial on the merits of their arguments. Whittemore wrote that Terri Schiavo’s ''life and liberty interests'' had been protected by Florida courts. Despite ''these difficult and ti

Once Again Awaiting a Judge's Decision Mar. 21, 2005 - The fate of Terri Schiavo once again was in the hands of a judge early Monday following an extraordinary, day-long political fight over the brain-damaged woman that consumed both chambers of Congress and the president. Taking the Senate's lead, the House early Monday passed a bill to let the woman's parents ask a federal judge to prolong Schiavo's life by reinserting her feeding tube. President Bush signed the measure less than an hour later. An attorney for her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, later arrived at federal district court in Tampa to file a request for an emergency injunction to keep their daughter fed. It was unclear when the judge might rule once the documents were filed. "I'm numb, I'm just totally numb. This whole thing, it's hard to believe it," Bob Schindler told reporters outside the hospice where his daughter entered her fourth day without food or water. Schiavo's husban

Restarting Novena for Michael Schiavo After that last post, I realized what God is calling me to do for Michael. He is in desperate need of prayer to save his immortal soul, so I am posting this novena again. I have been praying for Terri and her family constantly, but Michael also is in great need of prayer, as is Judge Greer. A Novena for the Conversion of Michael Schiavo Oh Lord of eternal compassion and mercy, by the words your Son has taught us, “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Mt 6:43) grant we beseech Thee to hear the prayers we offer in this novena for the conversion of Michael Schiavo. As in all things, may it be done according to Your Holy Will. Glory be... Let Us Pray.... O, God, Lord of Life, We bring before You, the life and soul of Michael Schiavo, whom You have redeemed by Your Precious Blood. Mindful of Your boundless mercy, O Lord, we beg You to grant Michael the grace to know You and desire You with his whole heart, so that in t

Michael Schiavo Caught In Yet Another Lie Michael Schiavo, Terri's Schindler-Schiavo's estranged husband, is a certified respiratory therapist and a Registered Nurse who currently works in an Emergency Room in a Florida hospital. For someone who is supposedly a "professional" in the medical field, he has been making some bizarre statements, the most recent of which has been, ""Death through removing somebody's nutrition is very painless," and "It (tube removal) is a very painless procedure." Would you want a "professional" like this taking care of you if you had a medical emergency? I would not walk, but would run out of that hospital as fast as I could if Michael Schiavo was my assigned nurse. Now that her feeding tube has been removed, Terri has begun the long, slow painful process of death by dehydration and starvation -- a death that she rejects and that has been imposed upon her by Judge George Greer, the Florida legislatur

Some Concise Facts for Congress It's looking like congressional action is the most likely hope for Terri right now. Soon, the US house and senate are going to vote on a compromised bill that will insure Terri gets an appeal in federal courts.I think it's important to emphasize these facts in contacting our congressmen: 1. Terri has not been given an MRI or PET scan , two tests that are required to properly diagnose PVS. In addition, there is a lot of evidence that she is more responsive than someone in PVS would be. She is reported to have pleaded for her life as best she can the day her feeding tube was removed. 2. Michael Schiavo has been lax on numerous guardianship laws , and therefore, needs to be removed as Terri's guardian. 3. Judge Greer has allowed Michael to be lax on numerous guardianship laws , and therefore, needs to be removed as the judge on her case. 4. There are witnesses who have written court affidavits that indicate Michael has been abusive and neglect

Supreme Court rejects Schiavo appeal Feeding tube to be removed from brain-damaged woman Friday (CNN) -- Less than 18 hours before Terri Schiavo was scheduled to have her life-sustaining feeding tube removed, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal by her parents to stop the procedure. The court rejected the appeal by Bob and Mary Schindler on Thursday, clearing the way for Schiavo's husband, Michael, to have the feeding tube removed Friday -- 15 years after she collapsed from heart failure that led to her brain damage. Meanwhile, legislation that would keep her alive appeared to stall in the Florida Legislature and the U.S. Congress. With time running out in the case, President Bush weighed in on the matter Thursday, saying society and the nation's courts "should have a presumption in favor of life" on such matters. "Those who live at the mercy of others deserve our special care and concern. It should be our goal as a nation to build a culture of lif

UPDATE ON TERRI From Thursday - March 17, 2005 Legal EffortsThe Schindler family has filed an Emergency Application for Stay with the Supreme Court of the United States. ■ Emergency Application for Stay (PDF) House Bill 701Today (March 17), both chambers will hear bills that address the withdrawal of assisted nutrition and hydration. These bills, if passed into law, would protect Floridians from a forced dehydration and starvation death when there is no evidence that the individual would not have made such a choice for themselves. ■ Proposed Bill Information House Bill 523Many are making their displeasure known to Florida Legislators on House Bill 523. This proposed act would alter Florida's Evidence Code and could allow self-serving hearsay to be admissible in guardianship proceedings. This is scheduled to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 16, 2005. ■ Proposed Bill 523 Please visit www.myfloridahouse.com for more details. Cross- Tracked from http://www

PLEASE CALL FLORIDA SENATORS The following post is from Fight4Terri by Cheryl Ford, Registered Nurse and patient advocate. The following Florida Senators may not be giving favorable consideration to SB 2128 (the companion now to HB 701). If you can, please hit the phone lines. If you can email, please do. This is to be considered in both chambers today in Florida. We need your help. I've been asked to relay that the best use of language is something very concise and brief, such as "Pass a law that is constitutional, good public policy and that will protect the interests of Florida's disabled and elderly." Nancy Argenziano (R) argenziano.nancy.web@flsenate.gov (850) 487-5017 Rm 311 "Mike" Michael S. Bennett (R) bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov (850) 487-5078 Rm 216 (senate office building) She might be willing? Maybe Larcenia J. Bullard (D) bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov (850) 487-5127 Rm 218 Lisa Carlton (R) carlton.lisa.web@flsenate.gov (850) 4875081 Rm

Crystal Clear Look at the Loving and Murderous Michael Schiavo from The Wide Awakes by Crystal, March 15, 2005 I have written before about my belief Michael Schiavo’s history and pattern of behaviors and actions fit those of the type of an abusive man. Commentators on this blog and other blog(s) who read and view the press renditions and legal decisions by Greer regard Terri’s family and friends as disgruntled and motivated to basically say and do anything to stop her murder via starvation and dehydration. I believe some project their own need and belief their own loving spouse knows their wishes best, would act according to their wishes, and would therefore greatly resent any family intervention in a situation like this. I truly can appreciate the need to avoid unnecessarily villifying Michael Schiavo. I didn’t easily come to my decision and choice to indeed villify his actions, behaviors, and especially now… his choice in murdering her. In fact, I found as I went through

House Bill 701 Passes House Bill 701 has passed through the House Judiciary Committee and goes to the Health and Families Council tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Todays vote was 9 -2. [more] Rose Rally for Terri Schiavo Rose Rally for Terri Schiavo ABC News has published an article and video coverage of the Rose rally for Terri Schiavo. - click here

Novena for Terri Schiavo Please join in the following novena prayer to save the life of Terri Schiavo. Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life, And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters. I know that life is always a good, and that it never loses its value when it is beset by weakness or injury. Lord, I pray today for Terri. Preserve her life from those who want to starve her. Enlighten their minds, Govern their hearts, and bring them back to you. As I pray for Terri, I also commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement, And never to stop defending life Until all my brothers and sisters are protected, And our nation once again becomes A nation with liberty and justice Not just for some, but for all, Through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Mel Gibson Supports Terri Schiavo In a fax to the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation dated March 11, 2005, actor and director Mel Gibson has made his feelings in the Terri Schiavo situation known. Best known for his role in "Brave Heart" and his production of "The Passion of the Christ", Gibson penned the following message in support of Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, in their quest to protect her life: "I fully support the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Schindler to save their daughter, Terri Schiavo, from a cruel starvation." "Terri's husband should sign the care of his wife over to her parents so she can be properly cared for." Source

Businessman Offers $1 Million To Keep Woman On Life Support Gloria Allred's Law Firm Holds Money In Trust Account LOS ANGELES -- Attorney Gloria Allred said she would hold a news conference with one of her clients Thursday afternoon to make an announcement regarding the case of Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman whose feeding tube is scheduled to be removed on March 18. Allred said the client is a businessman who has deposited $1 million into her law firm's trust account to offer Schiavo's husband, Michael, if he agrees to certain conditions to keep his comatose wife alive after the feeding tube is scheduled to be removed. Meanwhile, the state of Florida is moving on two fronts to try to block the March 18 removal of the feeding tube keeping brain-damaged Terri Schiavo alive. The Department of Children and Families wants to intervene in order to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect by the woman's husband. And in Tallahassee, Republican lawmakers crafted a bill req

Terri Schiavo Deserves the Same Rights as Ted Bundy says Center for a Just Society Ted Bundy, the BTK killer and others like them currently receive more protection under the law than Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who has been sentenced to death by starvation and dehydration by the Florida Courts. However, if Congress passes "The Incapacitated Persons Legal Protection Act," they can rightfully change that. Ken Connor, Chairman of the Center for a Just Society and former legal counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush and the state of Florida in defending "Terri's Law," released the following statement: "The outrageous outcome of court rulings surrounding this case is this -- a convicted capital felon in Florida receives more due process protection than a disabled person at risk for starvation or dehydration because they have become burdensome to their family." Capital felons in Florida are entitled to a trial by jury, independent counsel, competent representation an

Feast of St. John of God (1495 - 1550) "If we look forward to receiving God's mercy, we can never fail to do good so long as we have the strength. For if we share with the poor, out of love for God, whatever he has given to us, we shall receive according to his promise a hundredfold in eternal happiness. What a fine profit, what a blessed reward! With outstretched arms he begs us to turn toward him, to weep for our sins, and to become the servants of love, first for ourselves, then for our neighbors. Just as water extinguishes a fire, so love wipes away sin." ~ St. John of God

Keep Praying for Terri Today, Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Congressman David Weldon (R-FL) introduced legislation that could save the life of Terri Schiavo, who suffered a brain injury 15 years ago. The Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act (HR 1151, S 539) will give Terri, and those in similar situations, the same Constitutional protection of due process as death row inmates, common sense legislation. Presently, the law does not explicitly recognize due process for an incapacitated individual and leaves the rights of disabled persons at the mercy of the courts instead of defended by the Constitution. Let's persevere in prayer for Terri and for all the disabled.

URGENT ALERT!!! This bill could be Terri's only hope! Urgent Help Needed from pro-life Democrats!!!! Urge your representative to co-sponsor the "Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act." This bill could be Terri's only hope! It would provide her the same protection we provide convicted felons on death row- a right to have this "death sentence" reviewed by a federal judge.The following pro-life democrats are needed to co-sponsor the bill: Daniel Lipinsk Paul Kanjorski Collin Peterson Gene Taylor Michael Dolye Michael Michaud Lincoln Davis Tim Ryan Marion Berry Charlie Melancon James Oberstar Dale Kildee Ike Skelton Bart Stupak Jerry Costello John Murtha Steve Lynch James Langevin Harold Ford Weldon publicly announced this afternoon that he plans to file the bill Tuesday. (hence, we don't have a bill number yet.) BUT Grassroots are needed to ACT NOW BY CONTACTING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES and URGE THEM TO COSPONSOR THIS BILL! For contact information fo

CONGRESS CAN ACT TO HELP SAVE TERRI SCHINDLER-SCHIAVO Washington, D.C. -- The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) is calling on Congress to enact a bill to be introduced by Representative Dave Weldon, M.D. (R-Fl-15) that would give the Schindler family access to a federal court to argue for the life of their daughter, Terri Schindler-Schiavo. “Congress can act to ensure a federal court hearing on whether or not Terri will die of starvation and dehydration,” said Lori Kehoe, Congressional Liaison for NRLC’s Robert Powell Center for Medical Ethics. “A proceeding known as the ‘writ of habeas corpus,’ which is protected by the U.S. Constitution, has been used for centuries to give a hearing to those whose liberty has been constrained by state courts in violation of the Constitution or federal laws. We call on all citizens to immediately contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives and urge them to support Representative Weldon’s bill to amend the Habeas Corpus Act to allow its us

Reinforcements for Terri Kate Adamson has now joined the the fight to save Terri Schiavo from a court-ordered starvation by sharing her unique experience of nearly being starved to death. Way to go, Kate!

TRUST IN GOD "Genuine trust always sees God as love, even if at times it is difficult to understand His actions. It is certain, nevertheless, that 'The Lord protects the simple.' Therefore, in misery and abandonment, one can always count on Him, 'Father of the fatherless, defender of widows.'" ~ Pope John Paul II