Father of Italian comatose woman kidnaps her, plans to cause her death

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Comments: 37

Udine, Italy, Feb 4, 2009 / 04:11 pm (CNA).- The father of an Italian woman who is comatose and living off a feeding tube has taken her out of her hospital without authorization to move her to another facility where he plans to withdraw her food and hydration.

Beppino Englaro kidnapped his daughter Eluana during the night from her hospital in Lecco, Italy, where she was receiving care from the Sisters of Mercy, and transported her to a hospital in Udine.

The Engarlo’s lawyer explained to La Repubblica Eluana’s father plans to do: “During the first few days Eluana Englaro will be given nourishment like she was in Lecco and after three days, if nothing new happens, the nourishment will be slowly and gradually withdrawn. She will live for two, or at maximum, three weeks, unless there are further delays,” he said.

Advocates of euthanasia—including her father—intend to use Eluana’s case to set a legal precedent in Italy, where the norm allowing for euthanasia in cases of patients in a coma is currently being debated.

Laura Portaluppi, a friend of Eluana, told La Repubblica, “It’s like going back in time 17 years, to that day when I lost my best and only friend. Today is a dark day for me, it’s as if a huge wound was reopened that will begin a long journey taking Eluana to death.”

Archbishop Pietro Brollo of Udine has called on the faithful to pray for Eluana, for the Englaro family and for all volunteers who help those suffering.”

Likewise, the Bishops’ Conference of Italy issued a statement at the conclusion of the meeting of its executive committee and stressed that disconnecting Eluana’s feeding tube is clearly a case of euthanasia.

Comments: 37

Subscriber comments:

Published by: psalm
Detroit 02/13/2009 05:03 PM EST

Francis Xavier T

You have to consider the specific context for each of the bible passages you listed when considering whether "killing is permitted in the Bible". What they did to Eluana could never be "justified" especially by sacred scripture.

As you probably know, the commandments have consequences that reach far beyond their most simple context. A good place to start in understanding the far reaching meaning of the commandments is the natural moral law.

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 02/12/2009 03:31 PM EST

Psalm,

May be I have been misled by the media like many people have and thank you very much for correcting me. It is sad to see that people did not step up to help Eluana or her family until recently with all the harsh criticism. I believe abortion is an active murder of innocent defenseless babies, not just killing. I do not endorse “mercy killing” myself. However, killing is permitted by God throughout the Bible. Look at Exodus 3:27, the Levites killed 3,000 and were rewarded. In 1 Chronicle 18:6, The Lord gave victory to King David. In 1 Samuel 18:7, Saul killed his thousands and David kills his tens of thousands. The 6th Commandment said, “We shall not murder.” Someone later changed the word “kill” instead. It has nothing to do with justifiable killing. Anyway, physically death never has the last word, Eluana has bought something very special to all of us. Thank you again for your clarification on Eluana’s status. I will pray for her and I hope that you will pray for me too.

Published by: psalm
detroit/Mi?USA 02/11/2009 07:42 PM EST

TJ,

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes
People have the right to live and to die."

That sounds all nice but where EXACTLY does the good Lord say that we have the right to kill the sick? Actually, Eluana WASN'T sick. Where does the good lord say that it is ok to kill someone who doesn't live up to some other persons arbitrary level of existence? Where does the good lord say it's ok to kill yourself?

Don't use the Lords name to make up some new morality.

"The Vatican is not able to judge about live and dead, only the good Lord can do so. "

The Vatican is trying to preserve the sanctity of life in this situation. This seems to be in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Do you disagree?

Published by: psalm
Detroit/Mi/USA 02/11/2009 07:29 PM EST

Francis Xavier T,

", on a breathing machine for 17 years"

Eluana was not on a breathing machine. She could breathe on her own. I just wanted to make a distinction here between someone who requires tube feeding and someone on a ventilator. The Church does not teach that people must go through extraordinary means to sustain life. Feeding a person is not considered extraordinary means. People on true life support such as ventilators (breathing machines) is a much different case. This is a great opportunity for people to look into what the Catholic Church teaches on end of life care and so called "mercy killing". The teachings are morally solid and speak to the truth for anyone open to hearing it.

Published by: John N.
Falls Church, Virginia 02/10/2009 04:48 PM EST

FOD in UK, please don't be so disappointed at the Church. Physical death never has the final word, Life does, according to our faith. We should gently convince our brothers and sisters not to criticize Eluana's family and we should not criticize our brothers and sisters of the same faith. Let's all pray for Eluana and remember her forever in our live. Hopefully, our love one will not have to face the same decision. I think Eluana is bonding all of us...

Published by: FOD
uk 02/10/2009 12:15 PM EST

to believe in god is a seperate discussion. But if you do, then to believe in a god who would welcome a tragic young girl like this in heaven and welcome her with anything but love is crazy. Her father has had to make the kind of decision that none of you will ever comprehend. Any God that would punish his decisions or choices made entirly through love is no God I want any part of. I would rather go to hell. to envisage or worship a god who is vengeful is to worship a deity who is no better than than any of us.

Just as a side issue, Jesus knew that by staying in gethsemeny(?) he would be facing certain death in accordance with scripture. he died so that we could live and all that. it was his sacrifice and it was his choice. its called suicide in todays language.

Published by: T.J.
The Netherlands 02/10/2009 09:38 AM EST

The Lord gives and the Lord takes.

People have the right to live and to die.

Eluana rest in peace, the peace you deserve.

The Vatican is not able to judge about live and dead, only the good Lord can do so.

Published by: fred
italy 02/10/2009 04:42 AM EST

Yesterday, after 4 days of missng food and water Eluana has died.
She was 38 and weighted 28kg (61 lbs)

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 02/08/2009 07:31 PM EST

Dear psalm, truly thank you so much for your comments. I especially have a high respect of your job. On my time off, i volunteer to take terminal ill cancer patients from their residence to the hospitals for treatment too. I myself was raised from the death before and i have faced imminent death more than once. I fear not to die. I don't believe suicide in a way to get out of the suffering. I believe that we all should help others to live at whatever it costs of us instead of criticize. But there is one thing i don't believe---no one should keep a certified dead body, by the majority opinions of educated medical doctors, on a breathing machine for 17 years. I believe that God will ask me a question how much i love Him when i face him, not how i die.

Published by: Maurizio Lombardi
Italy 02/07/2009 07:39 AM EST

????

No one has been kidnapped! It was all authorized from the Suprema Corte di Cassazione! This article is just a bunch of junk and lies.

Published by: AC
Wales 02/07/2009 06:50 AM EST

Murder is the deliberate destruction of human life willed as an end - in this case, the death is deliberately caused by removing a tube specifically in order to end a life. Yes, it is murder.

Published by: psalm
Detroit/Mi/USA 02/06/2009 04:40 PM EST

Francis Xavier T

" If i were in that stage, i would rather go back to the loving arms and cares of our heavenly Father."

And He would say to you, "why did you kill yourself? Only I have true authority to create and end life" To think God embraces the act of suicide is some twisted Theology.

Since when is suicide an accepted Catholic teaching? Why hasn't anyone who supports killing this woman answered my simple question. Is it or is it not murder to stop feeding a person in order to cause their death?

I can't believe people are bringing up the cost of medical care as a reason to support killing Eluana. Have you thought that idea through? BTW Francis, I do "offer" to take care of people just like Eluana every day. I am a hospice RN.

Published by: John
Falls Church, Virginia 02/06/2009 04:14 PM EST

Besides praying for Eluana's family, we should pray for us one another too.

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C 02/06/2009 12:44 PM EST

By the way, please don't forget that we need to concentrate on the pro-life issue. Please don't forget 54% of Catholics voted for an extreme pro-abortion president with a muslim middle name because so many bishops failure to lead. Abortion is a clear murder, not just a killing. It has nothing to do with religion.

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 02/06/2009 12:37 PM EST

Thank you so much for all your discussion. But i am safe to say this. If i were in that stage, i would rather go back to the loving arms and cares of our heavenly Father. You all have forgotten one thing. Death on earth is not eternal. If all of you believe what you have said, then you should volunteer yourself for one day to care for Eluana and to pay for her medical bill for just one day. Otherwise, don't criticize that family and don't stop our Father in heaven to receive her. Instead, we should pray silently and passionately for them. Please keep that in mind that in the near future the medical technology will be so advance that no one can die with dignity

Published by: Jackie
England 02/06/2009 11:07 AM EST

How come if someone starves an animal it is, rightly, considered a barbaric act yet it is considered not only acceptable but actually good to starve a profoundly disabled HUMAN BEING!!! Somehow I think the people who think death by starvation is such a "sweet" death would have the same opinion if it was (Heaven forbid) done on them.

Published by: Michele Bariani
Ferrara/Italy 02/06/2009 10:11 AM EST

Kidnapped ?!?

Taken her out of her hospital without authorization ?!?

And you still pretend to tell people you know the Truth ?!?

Shame on the Curch, you're totally unrelated to any God that may exist.

Published by: Maurizio Morabito
London, UK 02/06/2009 06:51 AM EST

I fail to see the Christian purpose of such an untrue title for this story. I recommend all Roman Catholics at CNA to read again Hosea 7,7 .

Published by: Ilaria Garosi
italy 02/06/2009 05:40 AM EST

Kidapped??? If you were in a comatose state who would you want to make decisions for you if not your own father who is supposed to know and respect your will? Besides... the italian law allows her father to do so! Eluana didn't want to live off a feeding tube, just like John Paul II! We can't force her to live in the name of a principle which she doesn't share! the usage of the term "kidnapping" is highly inappropriate!

Published by: fred
italy 02/06/2009 05:26 AM EST

I'll be clear:
if you look at xray you can see that the brain has been restricted because dead cell has been eliminated, and more then half of the space inside the head contain inly liquid.

Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI/USA 02/05/2009 10:37 PM EST

Gianni,

"She feels nothing."

Why not just shoot her in the head? She wouldn't feel that either. You are completely wrong in your portrayal of dying by starvation. There is a difference between a sick person who is actively dying already and their body can no longer tolerate food VS someone who is otherwise HEALTHY but will be starved to death. They don't simply slowly fall asleep. How about you try going without food for a day or even two. Lets see how you feel on day 3 or 4.

Let's not side step the issue. Is it or is it not murder to stop feeding someone so as to cause their death? That's the issue. Not whether she was kidnaped.

Published by: Toptone
Italy 02/05/2009 05:10 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

This article is full of lies and sickening aspersions.

Eluana's father DID NOT KIDNAP her, but has been assisting his unfortunate daughter for 17 long long years. He was authorised by the Tribunal (which ruling was confirmed by the Italian Supreme Court) to stop all treatments, including food and hydration.

Eluana herself DID NOT WANT to be kept alive artificially, so this is to fulfil her will.

Eluana's brain is destroyed to the point that she won't feel any pain when (liquid) food and hydration will be removed.

All the rest is hysterical claptrap.

Please respect Eluana's will and her father's plight. They can't take no more.

Published by: Gianni
Italy 02/05/2009 04:56 PM EST

Once and for all I will attempt to explain to people believing in a dogma what a person in SVP (Permanent Vegetative State) feels when hydration and feeding are cut.
Nothing. She feels nothing.
In the absence of compassionate law, which has always been obstructed by the catholic lobby, the Supreme High Court specified such a procedure for the simple reason that a human being with so severely compromised senses cannot feel any pain.
How would it be possible? It is, in fact, the kind of death which occurs to many elders in geriatric care units. When they stop feeling hunger and thirst they gradually loose their vitality and slowly go asleep. So stop thinking that what a person in such a state feels is what we actually feel when put to starvation.

This kind of death is the sweetest possible, although, to be honest, the reason behind this action is that she had already dead 17 years ago.
In Italy this propaganda is all about one point: the need for the Catholic Church to reestablish once again their supremacy over the State.

Anyway the news of the presumed kidnapping is false (everything has got the authorization) and it speaks volumes about the honesty and morality of the authors.

Published by: psalm
Detroit/Mi/USA 02/05/2009 04:21 PM EST

Fred,

Stopping Eluana's tube feeding will result in her death by means of starvation and dehydration. Is this murder, yes or no?

Eluena has the same value as a human being as you or I do. Don't make arbitrary impositions on her value as a human being based on level of functioning. Why not starve to death people with Alzheimers? I have several Alz. patients who can't feed themselves or even form a coherent sentence. Should we stop feeding them too?

Don't go down the road of arbitrarily deciding who should live and who should die.

Published by: Kevin Wolff
Hephzibah Ga. U.S.A. 02/05/2009 03:39 PM EST

When I read Eluanas story a mental image came to mind of photo's I recently saw of the thousands upon thousands of holocaust victims who starved to deah at the death camps. I shudder to think of her dying like that.

Published by: L.
Warwick, RI USA 02/05/2009 03:38 PM EST

This poor dad needs prayers. She will suffer terribly from the pain of dehydration. Just because 3 of 4 Italians think euthanasia is okay does not make it okay. Most people are deceived by Satan and that is what is happening here. Please pray for the Italian family; so sad is their plight.

Published by: Marzio Bonfanti Stanziola
Bergamo, Italy 02/05/2009 02:05 PM EST

1) Ms. Englaro is NOT "comatose". She is in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). She is in this state ever since she had a car accident 17 years ago. The PVS is a more serious state than simply "comatose", no one ever recovered from that after so many years. Exaples of the contrary revealed themself as non-PVS (most commoly, "Locked-in" syndrome).
2) Mr. Englaro is in no way trying to "kidnap" her, he is merely tranferring her to another facility and he is fully authorized to do so by a sentence of the "Suprema Corte di Cassazione" ("Supreme Court of Cassation", Italy's High Court of Justice) that, after years of trials has sentenced that the will of Ms. Englaro must be respected. Her will was not to be compulsorily kept alive in case she was in a PVS o similar status.

Published by: Nancy Ellen
Providence RI USA 02/05/2009 01:04 PM EST

Yes, let us all prayer for the girl's family. Yet, murder is murder and this is what they want to accomplish. Yes, they probably do feel shame but I hope it leads them to better decisions.

Published by: fred
italy 02/05/2009 11:26 AM EST

Eh?????
Who has kidnapped who?
At least write the truth, no one has been kibnapped, everyone know abot it days ago, and three italians of four agree with the father decision.
There is no way for her to revive, this isn't just a comatose state, half of the brain has already destroyed one year after the accident and only the survival functions works.
And it's clear the she will never wanted to be in a state like this (it has also proven on trials).

Published by: Tricia
Dallas, TX 02/05/2009 10:54 AM EST

Francis Xavier T -

Non-violent? Starving another human being, withholding nutrients/water? It will 2 weeks to kill Eluana (just as it took 2 for Terri Schiavo to be murdered)...how on earth do you justify saying that murder is not murder? She will die a slow, painful death. At the hand of her own father. God help us.

Published by: Debra Brady
Lindenhurst, NY 02/05/2009 10:16 AM EST

I believe this father loves his daughter and is distraught thinking of her lasting for years on a feeding tube in this condition. He needs prayers as he is does not realize that euthanasia, a nice phrase for murder,is putting his own soul in jeopardy.

Published by: Patrick
Ottawa, Canada 02/05/2009 10:14 AM EST

Once again the devil confuses people. Love of God, far outweighs any personal ties here on earth. Gods will is NOT to be ignored. The father of this girl is doing just that. He is placing his own will above that of Gods... Sounds like something the devil would do.

Published by: Marina Cerulli
Italia 02/05/2009 06:02 AM EST

Eluana Englaro was never kidnapped, nor by her father nor by anyone else.
If you want to express you opinion about this fact, at least should tell the truth nor a lot of lies just for the sake of the show. This way people is lead to think that catholics are just a bounch of liers, not a very good idea this article, not at all.

Published by: Philomena
Middletown, ct 02/04/2009 10:11 PM EST

No Francis, this is misplaced love. Google the story of little Audrey Santo. Eluana was receiving good care from the sisters. We must pray for the father to turn to Jesus. He has given this father the means to cope but the father does not see it in the beautiful nuns. I know this from my own personal experience of severe illness of loved ones. If you stay close to God and the sacraments he does help you. The sick person has an even greater level of human dignity and deserves our help not death.

Published by: psalm
detroit/MI/USA 02/04/2009 08:29 PM EST

Francis Xavier

Permanently removing a person from their feeding tube will result in death by starvation and dehydration. Doing this to a person who can still tolerate being fed and is dependent on the tube feeding to remain alive is murder. What is not clear about that? Have you ever seen a person slowly die this way? As a hospice RN, I have and it's not pretty. The difference being that these people were dying and could no longer tolerate being fed. They also had other conditions that contributed to their death so they didn't linger on for weeks as Eluana probably will.

Published by: Myles Keogh
Fort Riley Kansas 02/04/2009 04:53 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

Just another sign of how the moral fabric of society continues to rot. Trace it all back to societies promoting artificial contraception, which led to abortion and cloning and euthanasia. Only God can save us from the slippery slope we are rapidly sliding down with an endless bottom.

When you do not value the sactity of human life this is what happens.

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C 02/04/2009 04:23 PM EST

Rate: Good

i believe that her father loves Eluana more than any bishops and Christians who criticize this family. Fail or refuse to save one's life is not euthanasia as some bishops define. Euthanasia is defined as an act of none violent killing. Let us pray for the Italian family instead of making them ashamed

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