EmilyKasky

Where ARE the Catholic clergy???

Note: When I published this entry, I thought that Fr. John Corapi asked these questions. I would like to correct that statement, because it was not him who asked these questions. I apologize for the mistake. ~The Management, 4/14/05

A speaker on EWTN asked these questions in regards to the Terri Schiavo case: Where are all of the Catholic clergy? Why aren’t they coming out and supporting this woman?

These are questions that I too, am wondering. I find it odd that no one’s talking about this case at all on campus, considering this is a Catholic university (well, it was last time I checked).

I decided to pick up a copy of the Tribune-Review this morning (instead of solely doing my usual Internet rounds for news coverage), and came across an article in the A-4 section, that said “Bishops renew drive against death penalty” (by Justin Dickerson, LA Times). Even though it was 7:30 A.M. and I was still a little groggy, I felt like I had just been slapped in the face. On the news, I haven’t heard a peep out of higher Catholic clergy or the Vatican on Terri Schiavo, but according to this article, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops “…announced a renewed campaign on Monday, launching an education program in parishes, schools, universities and seminaries and expanding its advocacy efforts in Congress and state legislatures.” They’re busy launching a new campaign against the death penalty (supporting the lives of MURDERERS), while an INNOCENT, HELPLESS woman is DYING at the hands of the U.S. government! What’s wrong in this picture?!

Look, there’s a time and place for this campaign to take place. Now is NOT the time. I mean folks, they announced this YESTERDAY. Terri Schiavo is getting weaker every day, her parents weren’t even allowed to see her until about a day and half ago, they get frisked every time they visit her (because, God forbid, they might be carrying something like an ice chip to soothe her thirst), an armed policeman stands guard outside of Terri’s hospital room, her parents are pleading for her life, and Congressmen who are opposed to the reinsertion of the feeding tube are merely saying they’re just doing their job (yeah, that’s what the Soviet “blue caps” and Nazi officials at the labor camps also said) – And these Catholic bishops have the nerve to talk about a campaign against the death penalty WHILE ALL OF THIS IS GOING ON???

Just for the record, the Catechism (section 2277) states:

“Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.

Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden or excluded.” (emphases mine)

I’m not slamming all of the clergy. I know that there are many clergy members and religious out there doing their best to help Terri Schiavo and pray for her and her family. I commend them on their efforts, and their dedication to being pro-life. It’s a shame and a disgrace that these APOSTASTIC head-honchos of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops aren’t doing SQUAT to come out and say anything, because (gasp!) they might be viewed as “not politically correct.” Heaven help us all if we’re not freakin’ politically correct and might happen to offend someone. Good grief.

The Catholic Church used to stand up for what it believed in, whether people liked it or not (of course, that was before Vatican II). Each day it becomes more and more soft and “wussy,” shutting up while these atrocities are going on. Not only are they letting this poor woman die, in their silence they are permitting the Pandora’s box for things to come on euthanasia (and also assisted suicide) to be opened. So much for “promoting a culture of life.” In the article, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick said that “we cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing…We cannot defend life by taking life.” Yeah – You and the rest of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (as well as “pro-life” Catholics who have decided to look the other way on this case) have done a ‘wonderful’ job at defending life with your silence toward Terri’s life. Michael Schiavo
should send each of you “thank you” notes for your aid in killing his wife.

Posted by EmilyKasky at March 22, 2005 10:53 AM