CBCI condemns ‘Culture of Death,’ says Terri’s death is unfortunate

New Delhi – In response to the news of the death of Terri Schaivo, the brain–damaged woman, who after a bitter struggle with life for the last 15 years, died on Wednesday, March 30, the Catholic Church prayed for her soul and her bereaved family and has warned that the ‘mercy killing’ of Terri Schiavo would have far reaching moral and ethical consequences for the world.

Terri Schaivo, 41, suffered catastrophic brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped for several minutes because of a chemical imbalance. Ever since, she had relied on the feeding tube that had kept her alive for the past 15 years. However, on March 18, a court ordered the removal of the feeding tube subsequent to which her health detoriated rapidly leading to her passing away on Wednesday.

“We are sad that it happened,” said Fr. Donald de Souza, deputy secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI). “We are praying for her and her family.”

Strongly against the notion of mercy killing, Fr. Donald de Souza said that the Church “has always stood for the sacredness of life. As long as life can be kept alive, even through artificial means, it should be preserved if there is a little hope of reviving the person.”

What has happened to Terri Schiavo is against ethical values, stated the Catholic priest, adding that the U.S. courts’ non–interference in the case could lead to wrong interpretation of sick–peoples’ right to life.

“It is another example of the 'Culture of Death' that Holy Father has spoken about,” he warned. Stressing that the Church has always been and is pro–life, the priest bemoaned that abortion, euthanasia and similar activities representing the “Culture of Death” have made inroads in the life of the modern society.

“It represents life’s diminishing value… life is being seen as a utility,” Father de Souza asserted.

However, an unfortunate case like Terri’s will not happen in India, he said, as the courts in India understands and respects the value of life. “[The courts] are against euthanasia, which is a very good sign. In India we have deep respect for life. We are hopeful that it would continue, the sacredness of life would be upheld ever,” he said.