Signs of contradiction
I find it striking that this morning, there is a great contrast on two sides of the Atlantic in the battle for the hearts and minds of people everywhere on matters of life, especially as they relate to the vulnerable of society.On the other side of the water, there is a vigorous fight for the life of Pope John Paul II, who's Parkinson's related breathing problems were enough to need a tracheotomy. At present, we know that the Holy Father cannot speak, but is governing the Church through written language and gestures. My guess is that there are very few ecclesiastical matters that need His Holiness' immediate attention, and nothing that can't wait a few days. Already, however, the forces of Antichrist are crooning, complaining that the Pope cannot govern the Church in a speechless state, and the American press, willing partners with the forces of liberalism which would love to see the Pope toppled, and often ignorant of how Church functions are normally, is already spouting "can the Pope govern the Catholic Church" as if they care whether the Church lives or dies. The prevailing attitude is that the Pope is old, sick, and without speech, and that he is useless. Yet millions are praying for him and the doctors and officials around him are fighting to keep him alive.
The opposite is true in the case of this woman:
Terri Shindler Schiavo
Her husband, living is adultery with children by another woman for as many years as Terri has been incapacitated, wants to remove the tubes that are helping Terri consume food. He claims that on one occasion Terri said "I wouldn't want to live like that" when hearing about someone who had been kept alive artificially for 20 years. Here's the rub: Terri is not in a coma. According to many who have seen her, including her father(who recounted what he knows last week on The World Over), have said that she can see them, is aware of their presence, and makes attempts to communicate with them. Father Frank Pavone has even said that when he visited Terry, she made sincere motions that indicated that she was following along in Father Pavone's prayers. Terri's parents have offered Michael Schiavo money to simply divorce her and let her family care for her. Mr. Schiavo refuses. Terri's Dad speculated that this may be because if Terri recovers, she could give an account of possible domestic abuse and other crimes committed by Michael Schiavo! Today, a Florida judge holds Terri's life in his hands. Let's pray that judge does the right thing, just as the doctors at the Gemelli Hospital are doing for the Pope, and keeps Terri alive.
posted by Deacon David Oatney @ 8:35 AM
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