C
Catholic29
Guest
Now here is an example of a body of bishops that didn’t pass over one of their little ones in need. My hat is off for them:tiphat:
Catholic leaders question decision
Liam Houlihan, religious affairs reporter
28jul05
CATHOLIC leaders have expressed concern at the Public Advocate’s decision to stop feeding Maria Korp.
Public Advocate Julian Gardner said an expert Catholic ethicist approved of the procedure as consistent with views held by Catholics.
But leading Catholic figures said the decision to stop feeding Mrs Korp by tube was dangerous moral territory.
The Public Advocate’s decision has been complicated by the fact Maria Korp is Catholic and was a regular churchgoer.
“The Catholic position is that the person retains a right to nutrition and hydration until the body rejects it, especially in cases of terminal illness,” Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart said.
Archbishop Hart declined to comment on the specific case of Mrs Korp, saying there might be facts in her case he did not know about and he did not want to get involved in a polemic.
Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne Christopher Prowse said the church never supported the removal of water and nourishment, even from comatose patients.
“The dignity of every human person demands basic hydration and nutrition,” he said.
"The Catholic Church is an advocate of life from womb to tomb.
"We have a very sophisticated system of palliative care in Australia and it needs to be made much more of a priority than it currently is.
“The perception in the community is this has been done a little imprudently.”
Bishop Prowse said Catholic doctrine allowed removal of life-support mechanisms, such as artificial respirators, in some situations.
Mr Gardner said his office had spent much time talking to those close to Mrs Korp to get as clear a picture as possible of her beliefs and value systems.
Catholic leaders question decision
Liam Houlihan, religious affairs reporter
28jul05
CATHOLIC leaders have expressed concern at the Public Advocate’s decision to stop feeding Maria Korp.
Public Advocate Julian Gardner said an expert Catholic ethicist approved of the procedure as consistent with views held by Catholics.
But leading Catholic figures said the decision to stop feeding Mrs Korp by tube was dangerous moral territory.
The Public Advocate’s decision has been complicated by the fact Maria Korp is Catholic and was a regular churchgoer.
“The Catholic position is that the person retains a right to nutrition and hydration until the body rejects it, especially in cases of terminal illness,” Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart said.
Archbishop Hart declined to comment on the specific case of Mrs Korp, saying there might be facts in her case he did not know about and he did not want to get involved in a polemic.
Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne Christopher Prowse said the church never supported the removal of water and nourishment, even from comatose patients.
“The dignity of every human person demands basic hydration and nutrition,” he said.
"The Catholic Church is an advocate of life from womb to tomb.
"We have a very sophisticated system of palliative care in Australia and it needs to be made much more of a priority than it currently is.
“The perception in the community is this has been done a little imprudently.”
Bishop Prowse said Catholic doctrine allowed removal of life-support mechanisms, such as artificial respirators, in some situations.
Mr Gardner said his office had spent much time talking to those close to Mrs Korp to get as clear a picture as possible of her beliefs and value systems.
