www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Do we owe Michael Schiavo a partial apology?

Of course, we still have the basic disagreement with him and others, that it is wrong to put someone to death regardless of their mental capacity.

However, during the heat of the debate, many people stated their opinion that Terri's condition may have been caused by none other than Michael Schiavo himself, and insisted that the eventual autopsy would prove that she had been strangled.

But the autopsy results released today don't seem to support that conclusion.

So - do we owe Michael Schiavo an apology for making unfounded accusations?

Just curious on what you think.

I don't know whether Michael had anything to do with his wife's death or not. I watched the autopsy results on TV this morning, and the doctors indicate they can not prove or disprove what caused his wife to go into the coma to begin with. Michael has lived in sin with a woman for years and even had illegitimate children with her - not the fault of the children, I might add. The only term I can come up with when thinking of Michael is, "sleaze." He's a real piece of work.

What is more important, and I am not sure this was pointed out by the networks -- the autopsy was done against the legal rights of the Schiavos. They had the legal right to have a witness at it, an independent witness, to make sure everything went down properly. This was turned down and the autopsy was done, and the body destroyed, before they could do anything.

If there was nothing to hide, why work against their legal rights? If Watergate was about "follow the money" maybe this should be "follow the illegalities..."

Stadaysha! How awful, referring to the Schiavo children as "illegitimate".
They are human beings made by the same Giver of Life who created you, me and everyone.
Please have more respect.

That's a perfectly "legitimate" term for children born out of wedlock. I didn't invent it, and I don't apologize for it. It's in the dictionary. Of course, as I stated, it's not the fault of the children that their parents were not married.

Of course "illegitimate" is in the dictionary as are many thousands of other words.
Labeling a child "illegitimate" is demeaning to that child. It shows no appreciation for the youngster's dignity as a human being.
It is uncharitable!

I think I owe him a prayer to save his immortal for killing his wife. But an apology? No.

--John

I have not read the autopsy (and I am not an expert in this) but from what I heard today, nothing was determined as to HOW her brain was damaged. And there is still that 70 minute gap from the time Terri collapsed and when Michael called 911.

The allegations of abuse came from some concerned nursing home staffers, I believe. Abuse can come in many forms - refusing to give her antibiotics to fight infections, keeping her in a dark room, refusing her parents the right to come and visit with her, refusing physical therapy, etc.

And refusing your wife food and fluids so that she dies a lingering and painful death is the height of abuse.

Autopsy Does Not Change Moral Aspects of Terri's Death, Priest Says
By Melanie Hunter
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
June 15, 2005

(CNSNews.com) - A priest who was with Terri Schiavo in the final hours before her death said Wednesday the autopsy findings do not change the moral aspects of her death, which he called "a murder."

Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life said the details of the autopsy do not change what happened to Terri.

"Her physical injuries and disabilities never made her less of a person. No amount of brain injury ever justifies denying a person proper humane care. That includes food and water," said Pavone.

"A person with a 'profoundly atrophied' brain needs profound care and love. Terry did not die from an atrophied brain. She died from an atrophy of compassion on the part of her estranged husband and those who helped him to have her deliberately killed," he concluded.

Meanwhile, the pro-life group American Life League also said that the autopsy findings are irrelevant and do not "justify the cruel death by dehydration that was imposed on a living human being."

"The fact remains that Terri was not dying, did not have a terminal condition, and could have continued to survive with proper nutrition and hydration," said ALL President Judie Brown in a statement.

Brown pointed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which defines "direct euthanasia" - a "morally unacceptable" matter - as "putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons" no matter what the motives and means are.

"There are those who will use this autopsy report to claim that the death by dehydration imposed on Terri Schiavo was compassionate or merciful," said Brown. "Others would say such a life is not worth living. Such thinking is misguided and absolutely wrong. Those decisions are not ours to make."

Brown urged those concerned about Terri's plight to assemble a morally acceptable healthcare directive, such as ALL's Loving Will.

"The bottom line is, Terri died an excruciatingly cruel death which simply cannot be justified," Brown concluded.

I agree.

-ray

I think that is nonsense. You would like the "b" word even less. What would be a politically correct term that you would be happy with - something like "offspring of non-sacramentally joined humans?" No offense intended, but I'm afraid we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Like I said, none of this is the fault of the children who are innocent of any wrong. But legally, whether or not you like the term, they are illegitimate.

"Politically correct" - ridiculous!
They are CHILDREN. Why must you label them?
Show some respect.

As I said, the children are innocent - a point you seem not to have noticed. The original posts had to do with Michael, not the children, and his affair and children outside of marriage, while he was still married to someone else.

Well, tell those children they are illegitimate and they'll feel real innocent.
Psychology 101 or is it Common Sense 101?

No point in continuing this - you'll hear nothing more from me.
Amen - Kaput -Fini - Skencheno!