www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Schiavo husband remarries in Catholic Church

Schiavo husband remarries in Catholic Church

Safety Harbor, FL, Jan. 24, 2006 (CNA) - On Saturday, Michael Schiavo, former husband of brain-damaged Terri Schiavo, who died of forced starvation last spring, married his long-time girlfriend in Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, near Tampa, Florida.

Michael Schiavo fought the Vatican, the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress and even the president as he battled to end the life of his late wife, whom he claimed, told him that she wouldn�t have wanted to be kept alive in her incapacitated state.

He also vehemently fought Terri�s family, who argued that their daughter and sister would have made no such claim--namely due to her strong Catholic faith.

Michael met Jodi Centonze, with whom he has already fathered two children, 11 years ago, after his wife had already been admitted to a Tampa-area nursing home.

Supporters of Terri and her family have criticized the pair for marrying in a Catholic Church, despite Michael�s disobedience to the Vatican who implored him not to kill his wife.
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Isn't there a canonical impediment to marrying in a Catholic ceremony if one party murders his former spouse?

This is a scandal - and one not that surprising given the moral ineptitude of the bishop at the helm in St. Petersburg.

Beat me to it!

That guy is not a man.

He should have stuck by her. 'Till Death do us part? Oh yeah, he had her killed.

http://www.canonlaw.info/2006/01/canonical-issues-in-schiavo-centonze.html

From Latin Canon Lawyer Ed Peters

Thank you, Dr. Eric. I hope that this information has been passed along to the CDF. I have been informed that they are keeping tabs on Bishop Lynch.

Can someone enlighten me?

What is CDF?

And what does it mean that "they are keeping tabs on Bishop Lynch?"

Thanks!

bob r.

CDF - Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei,
translated - "The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith"
This was the Congregatio run by Cardinal Ratzinger, previously known as the Holy Inquisition.

According to Fr. Gantley from EWTN:

Gordo,

The "how" to this is beyond me. We can speculate from now until the cows come home whether or not Archbsihop Lynch had any knowledge of this. The "why" is more like an "in your face" to the Catholic Church on the part of Michael Schiavo, especially after all the turmoil of the last several years.

Just my opinion.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

I have to say that this topic is getting plenty of exposure on all Boards of I'm a member.

One Moderator actually deleted the thread as she felt we were making judgements

Frankly I feel it should be aired - there are questions here that need to be answered - there have been for a long time.

True enough, Father. Although, given the "high profile" nature of the case, you would think that Bishop Lynch would at least have been informed. I have a hard time imagining the pastor of the parish NOT looping in his bishop that such an event might take place, given the possible media attention it would generate. Yes - I think Michael is probably taking some satisfaction in the irony that he "stood up" to the Catholic Church in his aspirations to murder his handicapped wife, get her money and marry his adulterous, live-in love interest, all blessed by the same Church that condemned his action. (At least, outside of the bishop and diocese of St. Petersburg.)

God bless him. I pray for his conversion (as well as for the conversion of the bishop.)

Gordo

This does not surprise me at all...I'll leave it at that.

james

I think we should take his children into account. They do need a father.

What I am curious about is, did Michael Schiavo collect any money, especially after all those law cases, or did he do it out of spite towards her family? I wonder?

Then again, would he have been able to get married in the Catholic Church if his former wife was still alive?

Don't think though for one moment, that I don't consider him a murderer. He could have given the care of Terri to her parents, and obtained an annulment. I know I shouldn't make judgement, but I can't help it. What an animal!

Zenovia

What are the rules on this?

Making a "worst case" judgment on Michael Schiavo, it seems to me that:

1. he essentially killed his wife
2. he fathered two children with the woman he recently married, in essentially a state of adultery.

It seems to me that since his wife is dead, he is technically allowed remarriage. Are any of the two statements above enough for a priest to deny him the sacrament of marriage?

Marc,
See my earlier post and Michael Thoma's post as well.

Thanks!

[embarassed] I guess it would be good to carefully read the previous posts, wouldn't it....... [/embarassed]

This thread makes me sad. And I had second and third thoughts about posting to it.

The words that ring in my head: Judge not, lest ye be judged.

HOw do any of us know what Mr. Schiavo struggled with in his heart, with his wife, her doctor and his faith?

How do we not know that to artifically prolong life isn't some other type of murder? the interference with God's calling someone to Him?

Medical technology has created a number of moral dilemmas, that must be carefully thought through. Don't rely on the media soundbites, to give you any earthly idea of what its like.

Dear Nonna,

You make some good points and normally I would agree with you, however, what troubles me is that the parents of this girl were willing to alleviate him of any spousal responsibilities, and wanted to take care of their beloved child themselves and he didn't want to hear of that.

Ofcourse, we will never know what really goes on in a family, in a person's conscience, in a person's life, and we will never know what a person's true intentions of heart are, so in that light you are right--we should not judge. Judgement is God's alone.

Having said that, may our Lord have mercy on the soul of Terri, may He bring comfort and peace to the hearts of her parents and brother, and may He bring His enlightenment and goodness to Terri's husband.

In Christ,
Alice