Priest sends open letter to Michael Schiavo on anniversary of Terri’s death

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Comments: 37

, Mar 27, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The priest who witnessed Terri Schiavo’s final hours at her bedside last March reiterated his previous statement that her husband, Michael Schiavo, is a murderer and called on him to “embrace a life of repentance” and to seek forgiveness.

Terri was a 41-year-old severely disabled Florida woman, who died during Holy Week last year; after her husband instructed that her feeding tube be removed, knowing that it would lead to her death.

In a strongly worded open letter to Terri’s husband, Fr. Frank Pavone recalled that last year he called Michael a murderer.

“Some have demanded that I apologize to you for calling you a murderer,” wrote the priest. “Not only will I not apologize, I will repeat it again. Your decision to have Terri dehydrated to death was a decision to kill her.”

The national director of Priests for Life read his letter to a worldwide audience on an internationally broadcast religious service Sunday morning. It was written to mark the one-year anniversary of Terri’s death.

“It doesn’t matter if Judge Greer said it was legal. No judge, no court, no power on earth can legitimize what you did,” he continued. “It makes no difference if what you did was legal in the eyes of men; it was murder in the eyes of God and of millions of your fellow Americans.”

The priest recounted Terri’s agonizing death. “As one of only a few people who were eyewitnesses to Terri’s dehydration, I have to speak,” he wrote.

Fr. Pavone, claiming to write on behalf of “tens of millions” of outraged Americans, said Michael’s decision to remove Terri’s feeding tube is offensive.

“Your actions offend us,” he wrote. “You have offended those who struggle on a daily basis to care for loved ones who are dying, and who sometimes have to make the very legitimate decision to discontinue futile treatment.”

Millions of Americans continue to wonder why Michael did not let Terri’s family take care of her, as they were willing to do, he said. “She had no terminal illness. She was simply a disabled woman who needed extra care that you weren’t willing to give,” he wrote.

“Not only have you killed Terri and deeply wounded her family, but you have disgraced our nation, betrayed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and undermined the principles that hold us together as a civilized society,” he stated.

Comments: 37

Subscriber comments:

Published by: sonja
indiana 10/05/2009 11:51 PM EST

this is to micheal?micheal you no alot of people no what happened because they are physic,terri told you she was leaving and you no what you did next dont you?you paid your lawyer off and the judge ,judge greer and your lawyer will never have pease you can act like you have but you cant?i wouldnt want to walk in your shoes?you are a black enity.i never seen anyone with the law behind them kill and torture someone and sit in there room and watch them suffer for 3 week?you will have to stand before god and terri will be standing beside him well you explain why you did it.i wont wish you well because it stll shocks me and its 2009,i dont understand the women you are with now how could she have your children im sure she nos by now what you did ,and the reason behind you being a nurse?i cant understand someone like your wife now she hs no guilt ,

Published by: Marie
Carencro/LA/US 07/08/2006 10:09 PM EST

Thank you Father Pavone.
I think that those who hate you are really hating themselves and refuse to let go of their pride.

I pray for Terri and her family.

Her husband was a text-book abuser and he did all that abusers do.

I pray that he sees the light and that we do not allow this to happen anymore to those who have no voice.

God Bless,
M.

Published by: mc
usa 07/08/2006 12:08 PM EST

Thank you Fr. for speaking the truth--it touches our souls and hearts with love for all those involved--and forgiveness to the hard hearted who refused to see Terri's life as wonderful and beautiful just as she was until God himself willed her to come home. It is not man's place to decide when--we need to trust God who loves us perfectly and completely-God alone knows when that time is right for each of us to come home. . .
Christ's Peace to All! ! !

Published by: frank blagdan
reynoldsville pa usa 05/23/2006 09:16 PM EST

Last year I lived in Greentown Pa. I said this was not evil at work but evil people.God gave us a free will and the 10 commandments to live by.Her sacrifice they felt of her to the shadows was their error.Her sacrifice was really a way for us to
unselfisly root out the evil in ourselves put others first and fight for
all the other Teris'and remember love conquers it all.All you do need is love and Teri we love you.

Published by: monique poirier
canada 05/02/2006 07:32 AM EST

Thank God for people like Father Pavone for having the courage to tell like it is - murder - Michael Shiavo just wanted his WIFE, an inconveniende removed in order for him to continue his illicit affair with this other woman - having 2 children while his WIFE is in a coma - talk about sensitivity!!!

Published by: Fr. Leo
USA 04/03/2006 02:08 AM EST

Kassandra, it's true what you say that as Catholics we are called to be merciful and tolerant of others, and the principle of love and mercy is above all; but at the same time love is right, and never approves the use of an evil action to look for a good purpose. What our society needs is to go back to the basis of morality and a good philosophy.
Fr. Benedict, all my due respect to you, but if you think Fr. Pavone was hard, your words don't sound much more Christian. Jesus made a whip of cord against the sellers in the Temple: this is another way of healing.

Published by: Daniel
Ottawa, Canada 04/01/2006 10:53 AM EST

The comment from father benedict is surprisingly cold. Concerning Father Pavone's letter, i thought it was fantastic. Straight to the point and full of truth. He did kill her while her family wanted to take care of her, it's the truth. A very sad truth.

Published by: Chris Noel
Ontario Canada 03/31/2006 11:15 AM EST

The truth of this situation is that society wants ud to believe that there is no value in suffering, but this is a most viscious lie inspired by Satan himself. What did Christ's suffering acheive or Mary's - the salvation of all men. Unfortunately for Michael Schiavo he has not realized that to enjoy a gift one first has to accept it. Thank you Father Pavone for attempting to get him to open his heat by proclaiming the Truth.

Published by: Clementia Carrigy
Jackson, N.J. U.S.A. 03/29/2006 10:35 PM EST

Thank God for good and holy priests like Fr.Pavone, who are not afraid to stand up for what is right.

Published by: Kassandra
Anaheim, Ca, USA 03/29/2006 06:17 PM EST

There was no way for Terri to get better. I think that if she would have been kept alive she would have suffered a lot. Everyone keeps fighting about how wrong or right her death was, but try to put yourselves in her skin. would you Father Pavone like to be kept alive in a vegetative state? As Catholics we are called to be against a lot of things but we are also called to be merciful and tolerant of others.

Published by: Sandra
Charleston, SC- USA 03/29/2006 03:18 PM EST

Father Pavone cannot heal Michael Schaivo. Jesus did not heal the pharisees and saducees. there are those that are turned over to a reprobate mind as the Bible speaks of. I would put Schaivo in this category. he does not want to change his mind on this subject as evidenced by his long 11 yr battle. We can only pray that he will be pricked in his conscience and heart to see the truth that he has so obviously rejected.

Published by: Fredi D'Alessio
California 03/29/2006 12:34 AM EST

Dear Mike McCaffrey,
In answer to your question "What does the church actually teach about this?"
Please visit my home page and click on 'Serious Health Care and End of Life Decisions'. To find my home page do a search on 'Fredi D'Alessio'.
This comment section will not let me post a link.
This site provides a compilation of authoritative and reliable resources that address the principles that must be applied when making serious health care and end of life decisions.

Published by: Fredi D'Alessio
California 03/29/2006 12:28 AM EST

Dear Mike McCaffrey,
In answer to your question "What does the church actually teach about this?"
Please visit healthcaredecisions.blogspot.com

This site provides a compilation of authoritative and reliable resources that address the principles that must be applied when making serious health care and end of life decisions.

Published by: Linda Ill
Des Moines, Iowa 03/28/2006 11:54 PM EST

To Mike from MA regarding the church's teaching on removing life support: as a Catholic R.N., I can tell you that a feeding tube is NOT extraordinary medical care-it is simply administering food and water, much like a helpless infant needs to be fed food and water. The medical community USED to acknowledge this, and the Catholic Church teaches that a feeding tube is NOT extraordinary means of preserving life. Remember, Terri was not suffering from any terminal disease--she was merely handicapped. She was indeed murdered, and in a most cold-hearted, brutal and gruesome manner; and contrary to what the anti-life secularists proclaimed ad nauseum that she did not suffer, I assure you that she suffered unspeakable agony as her body dehydrated and starved to death. I hope Father Benedict retracts his un-Catholic statement. Terri Schiavo was murdered by her heartless husband and by the pro-death culture of the American civil system; Father Pavone said exactly the right thing. May God help us all!

Published by: Sandi
Calgary Alberta 03/28/2006 05:50 PM EST

Well done, indeed. By Fr. Pavone example, may we all learn to be a voice for those who have none.

Published by: John Healy
Washington, DC 03/28/2006 04:50 PM EST

Terry Schiavo's cerebral cortex was nonfunctioning. This means that she could not think. She could not see. She could not feel. She did not suffer when she died - she was incapable of feeling anything. Fr. Pavone should be ashamed of himself. Many of us will have to let close relatives die. It does not help when priests treat difficult medical decisions as black and white.

Pope John Paul II refused extra medical attention in his last hours. Did Fr. Pavone write a letter about this?

Published by: Brigid Kane
Canada 03/28/2006 11:10 AM EST

May God have mercy on Michael Schiavo and all his enablers, like Felos,Judge Greer etc.

Published by: Richard A. Albrecht
San Antonio ,Texas USA 03/28/2006 11:07 AM EST

Sounds like Father Benrdict is hateful and could use some healing himself.

Published by: Elizabeth
stayton,oregon.usa 03/28/2006 11:03 AM EST

What is hateful about proclaiming the truth????? There should be no tolerance in alowing people to kill their dependents based on their relative philosophy. Terry is a saint, Michael is a Judas, and we should all examine our conscience through the ultimate judge's eyes, not out colored, filtered ones.

Published by: kelly goethel
vincent, oh, USA 03/28/2006 10:33 AM EST

The truth may be hard to take, but Fr.Pavone is brave enough to speak it, my prayer is that Terri's killer actually hears it.

Published by: CATHERINE MASAK
LINDENHURST NY USA 03/28/2006 10:15 AM EST

WELL DONE FATHER PAVONE.
GOD IS PLEASED AND SO ARE ALL GOD FEARING CATHOLICS.

Published by: Jim
Port Orange/FL/USA 03/28/2006 09:53 AM EST

My God is so good to have blessed us in these times with a man such as Father Pavone. If Benedict is a Father in that he has been ordained a Catholic Priest, I ask that he look in the mirror when he slings the words 'misguided and hateful.' Nothing could be more hateful than murder and the promotion of murder in any of its ugly forms. Peace can only come to those who fearlessly follow Christ to the Cross through the muck and mire of those who would pervert the teachings of Christ. Mother churches teachings are very clear on Euthanasia. Terri was murdered. Father Pavone is truly a man I look up to and gladly call Father.

Published by: Leah
Norway 03/28/2006 08:13 AM EST

Thankyou Fr Pavone! Michael knows no shame because he fulfills the scripture "Gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing." Shame on his priest.

Published by: Jeanie Cavanaugh
Canada 03/28/2006 08:06 AM EST

I totally agree with this priest.Mr Schiavo is a disgrace to mankind.But unless he repents,God is his judge,not us."Revenge is mine saith the Lord",so I leave Mr Schiavo's fate in Gods capable hands.He might think he has it all together and is home free but one day he will have to face the music,and stand infront of almighty God,that's justice Amen!!!

Published by: Gil Credeur
Baton Rouge, LA 03/28/2006 06:51 AM EST

Thank you, Father Frank!

Published by: Elaine Arnsby
London, Ontario, Canada 03/27/2006 11:22 PM EST

Bravo Father Pavone for speaking out against this act of murder, the deliberate dehydration and killing of Terri Schiavo. I pray that Michael Shiavo will someday repent of his sin before he comes before Almighty God, the creator and lover of life. May God continue to bless you Father Pavone for speaking truth.

Published by: JOANNA
FAYETTEVILLE, NC, USA 03/27/2006 11:20 PM EST

I AGREE WITH FR. FRANK PAVONE. HOW COULD MICHAEL SCHIAVO SAY HE LOVED TERRI AND THEN WANT HER TO SUFFER SUCH A HORRIBLE DEATH? THE SCHINDLERS FIGHT BECAME MINE, SINCE I HAVE A DISABLED NIECE. I PRAY FOR MICHAEL SCHIAVO'S CONVERSION AND HIS MOTHER OF HIS CHILDREN. SHE NOT HIS WIFE CANON LAW FORBIDS THEIR MARRIAGE.

Published by: Anne
Loveland, CO 03/27/2006 10:29 PM EST

I agree totally with Fr. Pavone. If Michael did not want to take care of Terri, he should have let her family take care of her. With him already living with another woman he should not have had any say so about Terri's life.

Published by: Robert Dennis
Mission viejo, CA USA 03/27/2006 09:49 PM EST

Thank you father for setting the record straight. Michael Schiavo is a monster who continues to benefit from his wife's demise by writing a book to justify murder.

Published by: Marie Rogers
Jacksonvile,Fl USA 03/27/2006 09:09 PM EST

God bless Fr. Frank! He has been given the grace to speak the Word of God and fearless does so.
I wish all of us could witness to the Truth as he does.

Published by: Rick Zacharias
Winnipeg, MB, Canada 03/27/2006 09:08 PM EST

Thank-God for a man such as Fr. Frank Pavone. He is indeed an inspiration to all people who love truth and life.

Published by: Mike McCaffrey
Yarmouthport, MA 02675 03/27/2006 04:42 PM EST

I wish that we could get beyond the emotional aspects of this case to better understand the position of the church on euthanasia. Before positions hardened on this case, there seems to me to have been no clear position of the church on this, but now it is quite incorrect to say that Michael Sciavo is not entirely wrong. I know that the holy father was against this, but my reading of that was that he was against it as he was against the war in Iraq. I raise these questions because most of the church seems in lock step that removing the feeding tube was a mistake. What does the church actually teach about this?

Published by: Tom Kelty
Valatie,NY USA 03/27/2006 04:42 PM EST

I hope and pray that Michael takes Fr. Pavone to court for malicious criminal libel and slander. The Catholic Church does not need this cheap grandstander.

Published by: Leonore M. Anders
Oswego, IL USA 03/27/2006 03:14 PM EST

Hurray for Fr. Pavone ! What incredible intestinal fortitude!!! Would that the hierarchy of the U.S.A. (USCCB) had the same fortitude. God Bless Fr. Pavone

Published by: Ronald A. Fry
Wichita, KS., USA 03/27/2006 02:18 PM EST

Thanks father for your honesty. It would be even greater if the shepherds of our flock would start to set the same high standards, for they do a diservice for the Church.

Published by: Elizabeth Meyers
San Diego, CA, USA 03/27/2006 02:16 PM EST

Thank you Father Pavone for telling it as it was and I suppose it wouldn't hurt to pray for the conversion of Michael Schiavo.

Vigelante et Orate,
Elizabeth Meyers

Published by: Father Benedict
USA 03/27/2006 12:40 PM EST

That misguided and hateful priest should stop persecuting people and start healing them like Jesus did.

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