From Fr Frank Pavone's Newsletter

Terri Schiavo

[Note: By the time this newsletter goes to print, we do not
know what Terri Schiavo's situation will be. Whatever it is,
however,her life provides a critical test for society -- a
test we cannot afford to fail.]

She is not dying. She is not in a coma. She is not alone, but
rather has loving parents and siblings ready to care for her
or the rest of her life. 
She has not requested death.

Yet a battle rages regarding whether Terri Schiavo should be
starved. She has sustained brain injuries and cannot speak or
eat normally. Nevertheless, the only tube attached to her is
a small, simple, painless feeding tube that provides her
nourishment directly to her digestive system.

Her legal guardian is her husband, who already has another
woman -- by whom he also has children. He wants Terri's
feeding tube removed. Of course, he could simply allow her to
be cared for by her parents and siblings, and get on with his
life, but he refuses.

On February 6, Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests
for Life, visited Terri Schiavo for the second time, spoke with
her and prayed with her. He found her "wide awake, alert, aware,
and responsive." At various times in the visit she tried to
vocalize responses, but otherwise communicated with her eyes
and her smile, and by returning the kisses of her parents.

Terri is not dying. This is not a matter of "letting her go,"
because she isn't "going" anywhere. If, however, she is deprived
of nourishment, then she would slowly die in the same way that
any of us would slowly die if we were deprived of nourishment. 
It is called starvation.

If the courts permit that to happen, then why should that
permission apply only in Terri's case? And where does the
state get the authority to starve people?

For more information on this crucial case, visit our website,
www.priestsforlife.org.
If you want educational cards on Terri's
situation, contact our orders department at
orders@priestsforlife.org,
or by calling
888-PFL-3448, ext. 237,
or by writing
Orders Department, Priests for Life,
PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314.