I thought of another potential unsavory reason for Michael Schiavo to want Terri dead -- I think he's Catholic, and he's hoping to remarry. Yesterday while watching cable news, I was struck a little funny by his lawyer saying something about "religious doctrine changing" -- why would that matter?
I think it matters because the question is, who decided that she should die? This probably doesn't matter to many, but to a Catholic, which Terri is, it's very important.
If it's she, if her long ago wishes are merely being acceded to, then that's suicide, and it's a mortal sin.
But either way Michael isn't off the hook. It's just as grave a mortal sin to assist in a mortal sin (suicide), as to do it all by yourself (murder).
The "change" in religious doctrine is that the Church made it explicitly clear that, while it is not a sin to refuse extraordinary measures to prolong life, withholding food and water is not "extraordinary measures" and is a mortal sin. Suicide, murder, or maybe in Terri's case, both.
In her stage of consciousness, she can't even make a good Act of Contrition. But I do believe (I hope) she won't be held accountable. |
