Terri Schiavo, Condemned to Death

Last Saturday a friend and I met at the Franciscan monastery in Northeast Washington to walk together and pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross. We approached the first station and pondered “Jesus Is Condemned to Death.” After a brief silence, I shared that my thoughts turned to Terri Schiavo, who the day before had been condemned to death when her feeding tube had been removed as a result of the order of Judge George W. Greer. I explained that without further intervention Terri would die a slow and painful death in the next week or two.

Our office has spoken out on behalf of Terri and her parents since the beginning of the struggle. We recognized that her life was being judged by her husband and the courts on the basis of their perception of her “quality of life.” Here was a young woman disabled by brain injury. She is not terminally ill, nor kept alive by artificial life support systems such as a respirator. She breathes on her own. A feeding tube was inserted early on to facilitate feeding her—more for the convenience of the staff than medical necessity. She is kept alive today by the same thing that keeps each one of us alive—food and water. She is receiving the sustenance of life, not extraordinary measures. Only now the courts have ruled that her life is not worthy of such sustenance. As we pondered the station of “Jesus Carries His Cross” I couldn’t help but think of the cross Terri’s parents and siblings have been carrying for over a decade as they struggled for the right to take care of her and ensure that she receive needed therapy and medical treatment.

On Friday, March 18 the death sentence was carried out, despite the best efforts of Congress. Our office watched with prayerful concern all day to see if the feeding tube would be removed. We received numerous calls and e-mails inquiring about Terri’s status, and what could be done. The one consolation I could offer was that even if the tube were to be removed, it did not mean immediate death, and could be reinserted following a future intervention.

Over the weekend Congress and the President did act, giving the federal courts jurisdiction to hear her case. On Tuesday morning Federal Court Judge James Whittemore denied the request to reinsert the feeding tube. Terri’s parents will immediately appeal to the 11 th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. It is unclear at this time how the appeals courts will rule, and whether Terri’s feeding tube will be reinserted. The events of these last few days have catapulted the issue into one of partisan political bickering. As with many issues, particularly those involving a person’s right to life, people are quick to take sides and form judgments without understanding of or consideration of the facts. Some people are skeptical of these recent actions of Congress. They are accusing members of Congress of seeking political gain, and interfering in private matters. Such critics fail to recognize that this case is more than a private matter. It addresses the most fundamental right to life and liberty, which in some cases does require the protection of the federal government.

People with whom I spoke on Sunday quickly dismissed the controversy as President Bush and the conservative members of Congress once again interfering in private decisions. When I explained my understanding of the case, they were surprised to learn many facts overlooked by the mainstream media. They didn’t know, for instance, that over these many years her husband had denied her the therapy which may have improved her condition, despite a jury award of $700,000 to pay for such therapy and other medical treatment. Neither were they aware that there is no consensus among doctors as to her medical condition. Terri Schiavo left no written directive. In the absence of such a written directive the courts have relied on Mr. Schiavo’s claim that she stated that she wouldn’t want to live this way. This claim is disputed, and we will never know the truth of Terri’s wishes.

A major problem in our polarized society is that we all too often make judgments based on assumptions rather than facts. We read a quick headline, hear a sound bite, consider the “party line” of the group with which we most comfortably identify, and form a hasty opinion. We have a responsibility to be informed, particularly in matters of life and death. And as in the case of Terri Schiavo, even if we are uncertain or don’t fully understand the positions of each side, we should look to the wisdom of the Church’s teaching, which instructs us to make presumptions on the side of life.

Janice L. Benton, sfo

Executive Director

National Catholic Partnership on Disability

March 22, 2005