Statement from Bishop John J. Nevins on the death
of Terri Schiavo, 3-31-05

Theresa Marie Schiavo has gone home to God. I pray that she has received a warm embrace from the Lord. May she rest in peace.

We all grieve with her family. The death of a spouse or a child is very private because it is the private pain of a family. This was not the case with Terri. We have come to know her and her family as our own. She has become a sister, a daughter, a friend to all of us. We are all in pain.

Last week as we recalled the passion of our Lord, Terri was suffering her own passion. And as the Risen Christ promises a new existence for all of us and a transformation of death into life for all eternity, we know that someday we will see Terri again, all weariness gone, clear of mind, strong and sure, smiling again, and the sorrow of her parting will be gone forever.

I pray that God has welcomed Terri Schiavo and that he will comfort those who loved her.

May we Catholics always uphold the dignity of human life, from the moment of conception until natural death.