Terri Schiavo died this morning in Pinellas Park Hospice, Pinellas, Fl., after having nutrition and water withheld from her for nearly two weeks. She was 41. Upon hearing of her death, the Archdiocese of San Antonio released the following statement.

    Our prayers are with the family and friends of Terri Schiavo, and all those who fought valiantly to save her. It has been heartbreaking these last several days to watch her life taken from her. To remove her feeding tube and leave her without nutrition and hydration was an act of euthanasia. The end of a person’s life is in the hands of God, and as a matter of moral principle and public policy, we believe it should remain that way.

    Pope John Paul II has said clearly that “Even our brothers and sisters who find themselves in the clinical condition of ‘vegetative state’ retain their human dignity in all its fullness.” The Holy Father reminds us that, “The sick person in a vegetative state, awaiting recovery or a natural end, still has the right to basic health care, nutrition, hydration, warmth, etc..

    The tragic and needless death of Terri Schiavo has created a climate for a vigorous and urgent effort to restore the value of life in our society, at all stages and in all circumstances. We pray that all people of goodwill will seize this opportunity to declare their support for life, from “conception” to natural death.

    Easter is the season to celebrate Christ’s triumph over death with His Glorious Resurrection. May the Risen Christ grant us the blessing of loving life in all its stages and the Christian compassion of loving one another, overcoming our own selfishness and comfort, especially the disadvantaged, the weak, the sick and the poor.

Most Reverend José H. Gomez
Archbishop of San Antonio

Most Reverend Patrick J. Zurek
Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio

Most Reverend Thomas J. Flanagan
Auxiliary Bishop

Deacon Pat Rodgers
Director of Communication
Office: 210-734-2620 EXT 109
Mobile: 210-260-0044