Coalition for the Common Good: Terri Died and a Nation Cried

To: National Desk

Contact: Archbishop Randolph Sly, 703-404-0754, abpsly@iccec.org

POTOMAC FALLS, Va., April 1 /Christian Wire Service/ -- The following is a statement from Archbishop Randolph Sly, President, Coalition for the Common Good and Chairman of the Board, CEC for Life, The Charismatic Episcopal Church:

Terri died and a nation cried. Terri died and I am mourning. I am mourning for Terri, although I know she is with the Lord and all her earthly limitations are gone. I am mourning over the heartless and evil way in which she was taken from this world. I am mourning because this was not God's time for her. I mourn for her family who tried, without success, to experience "the law" as being just and merciful. Instead, the "law" became an accomplice to the killing of their daughter. Along with losing their daughter, they have understandably lost hope in a system they once hoped would protect their family. Perhaps many of us are feeling the same thing.

I mourn for our nation. A guest on one of the cable news networks today commented that we are "a nation of laws" and that those laws have determined that this was a just act. Whose law calls evil good? In our founding Declaration our unalienable Rights to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are supposed to be defended and protected by government. Having followed this case very closely - and participating in certain levels of intervention – I am convinced that Terri's rights – unalienable, human, and civil – were not protected at all. I am faced with the question, "Who is next?"

I mourn for our society. For the past two weeks we have been told that polls overwhelmingly pointed to support for this judicial execution. Frankly, I don't believe in polls, I believe in people. I believe that a fully informed society is our best defense to stop the further advance of the culture of death. I do not believe a truly informed citizenry would have condoned this kind of abuse. However, when society relies only upon what a misinformed popular media portrays, they do not have the resources necessary to evaluate these serious issues of life and death.

So, where do we go from here? The Schiavo family will go on with their lives as best they can. They need our continued prayer and support. The Schiavo Case will be examined and re-examined in law schools for many decades. Hopefully, it will help to train future lawyers who rise up against the horror revealed by this miscarriage of justice. The Schiavo event that captured so many hearts and minds over several years will not be forgotten. Our moral compass is spinning. The future of disabled and dependent citizens hangs in the balance. If the fundamental issues concerning the dignity of human life continue down this misguided path, hiding evil behind claims of "the law", then the law has betrayed its very purpose and we risk becoming a nation with no heart.

On the way to see the Wizard of Oz at Emerald City, Dorothy and the Scarecrow met a Tin Man who wanted to join them in their journey. He wanted a new heart. As he said, "the year I stood there I had time to think that the greatest loss I had known was the loss of my heart." The scarecrow disagreed. "All the same," said the Scarecrow, "I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one." "I shall take the heart," returned the Tin Woodman; "for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world." We certainly have found our brain. If our nation follows this approach to "the law", we are no better than a nation of Tin Men - we have no heart and no love. Our work is now beginning; we are on a road that can help us to again find our heart. If we do, Terri's death will not have been in vain.

From the Christian Communication Network. 

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