Terri Schiavo News

The case of Terri Schiavo--who died five years ago next March, deprived for nearly two weeks of food and water, even the balm of ice chips--continues to prick consciences.

By Nancy Frazier O'Brien Catholic News Service BALTIMORE - The U.S. bishops overwhelmingly approved a revision to the directives that guide Catholic health care facilities, clarifying that patients with chronic conditions who are not imminently dying should receive food and water by "medically assisted" means if they cannot take them normally.

Rom Houben's family fought to keep him alive. He was in a vegetative state for more than 20 years.

The family of Terri Schiavo , the Florida woman who was artificially kept alive for 15 years, say they feel both heartbreak and vindication over the news this week that a Belgian man thought to be in a persistent vegetative state was fully conscious for two decades.

Not content with being Bart Stupak's puppet-masters, pulling the strings to strip all abortion coverage out of healthcare reform, end all of their social service programs in DC if the city goes forward with a proposed gay marriage law, refusing communion to Catholics because of their political beliefs, the Bishops have outdone themselves on this ...

For those unfamiliar, the above is a title from a short story by Harlan Ellison, which contains a hellish account of the torment visited upon the last remnants of humanity at the hands of an intelligent computer.

The family of Terri Schiavo , the Florida woman who was artificially kept alive for 15 years, say they feel both heartbreak and vindication over the news this week that a Belgian man thought to be in a persistent vegetative state was fully conscious for two decades.

After surviving a car wreck in 1983 at the age of 20, Rom Houben was written off as a vegetable.

For 23 torturous years, Rom Houben says he lay trapped in his paralyzed body, aware of what was going on around him but unable to tell anyone or even cry out.

Unfortunately, the health system has not implemented the passive-euthanasia hospital committees advocated by the 2006 Steinberg Commission.

BALTIMORE, Maryland, NOV. 18, 2009 .- The U.S. Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Services were updated to include more specific guidelines on artificial nutrition and hydration for patients in a persistent vegetative state.

Bishops Approve New Directives on Withdrawal of Food, Water Source: Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009 BALTIMORE - The U.S. bishops overwhelmingly approved a revision to the directives that guide Catholic health care facilities, clarifying that patients with chronic conditions who are not imminently dying should receive food and water by ...

As usual, the conservatives are special pleading. In Cal Thomas' column printed Nov.

When a loved one is stuck in between being conscious and dead, perhaps permanently, what should those around them do? Allow them to live in a persistent vegetative state, or "pull the plug" on this friend or family member? The answer depends on many circumstances; however, in the case of Terri Schiavo, it may be best to let a loved one go.

State Sen. Paula Dockery ended months of speculation today and officially entered the race to replace Gov.

A proposed revision to the directives that guide Catholic heath care facilities would clarify that patients with chronic conditions who are not imminently dying should receive food and water by 'medically assisted' means if they cannot take them normally.

First there was Elian Gonzalez, the Cuban boy torn between two nations. Then there was Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged woman torn between two families.

In an interview last week with The Tennessean , former Sen. Bill Frist discussed his personal ambitions now that he's out of Congress, the Terri Schiavo end-of-life case, and what he thinks will happen with health care.

Bill Frist and Trent Lott were once close - "close" being a relative term in politics - but that bond was broken in the cold days of December 2002 when Lott was forced step aside and allow Frist to become majority leader.

Bill Frist, I don't use the word "hero" very often, but you are the greatest hero in American history.