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Editor, The North Country Gazette:
In regard to the OpEd - "Whose Burden Was Terri Schiavo?" by Eric Paulos (appearing Dec. 20, 2005), I must compliment the author. He rightly diagnoses that the liberal Catholic press does not represent the authentic Catholic teaching on euthanasia, Terri Schiavo's feeding tube, or anything else.
The quote from St. Basil did not even apply to this subject. He is obviously speaking about the spiritual life which Christians must live, as opposed to those who live "for the flesh." Vitoria's words actually prove the opposite of what Sulmasy claims they do. And Pius XII, whom these supposedly religious death zealots seem to always erroneously quote, specifically says that "one is held to use only ordinary means-according to circumstances of persons, places, times, and culture." This contradicts the notion that the feeding tube can be removed, because it is a fairly common method of feeding the disabled today.
So what Sulmasy is doing is quoting these authorities contrary to their real interpretation. Then he even dares to quote the last Pope contrary to what almost everyone knows he said and meant. Didn't the Vatican intervene publicly in favor of the life of Terri Schiavo? How can Sulmasy seriously think he can reinvent what the Holy Father meant by that intervention?
We do indeed have to insist that journalists, especially those who profess themselves Catholic, stick to the truth. If we do not oppose this culture of death now, it will soon be too late.
Wayne Nichols
St. Marys, KS
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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