WASHINGTON, DC—Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International (LDI), today blasted the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC) for “a cold and feeble response to the plight of Terri Schindler Schiavo and those like her.”

The FCC issued a statement that addressed Presumption for Nutrition and Hydration: “The Catholic community begins discussions regarding the withdrawal and withholding of artificial nutrition and hydration with a presumption in favor of their provision. However, when the burdens exceed the benefits of providing them, they may be withdrawn or withheld. We note that what is too burdensome for one person may not be too burdensome for another.” Another section of the statement addresses euthanasia: “While withdrawal of Terri Schiavo’s nutrition and hydration will lead to her death, if this is being done because its provision would be too burdensome for her, it could be acceptable. If it is being done to intentionally cause her death, this would be wrong.”

“What kind of mealy-mouthed statement is this?” Scott asked. “Why does the manner in which a person receives basic care make any difference? And this case has nothing to do with nutrition and hydration being a burden, although it could be argued that continuing such basic care has been a burden on Mike Schiavo’s future plans.” Scott said the only possible goal here would be to cause Terri’s death.

The FCC statement addressed the “Need” for Health Care Advance Directives: “That Terri Schiavo left no written instructions as to whom should make such decisions in her absence (a healthcare surrogate), or what criteria ought to be used to make such determinations has contributed to the difficulty of this case. This is not rare…”

“Why doesn’t the statement emphasize that since Terri left no written instructions, the claims of her husband should be disregarded?” Scott asked. “Terri’s wishes are all based on hearsay and her family says she would never have wanted to be starved to death.”

When the FCC refers to the “Need for Ethical Decision-making,” it explains that, “Catholic teaching notes that the proxy may not deliberately cause a patient’s death or refuse ordinary and normal treatment, even if he or she believes a patient would have made such a decision.” Scott said the need for nutrition and hydration is “anything but extraordinary or abnormal.” Yet the FCC refuses to directly and unambiguously state that Terri Schindler Schiavo must be given food and water. “What’s the problem here? The Florida Catholic Conference sets a standard and then declines to tie it directly to the case at hand.”

“We continue to ask all people of good will to join us in prayer for Terri Schiavo, whose spiritual needs are being met by clergy of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and for all involved in this difficult case, especially her husband, parents and siblings," the FCC statement reads. “While it is always time for prayer, it is also time for action. And the Florida Catholic Conference is guilty of taking no significant action at this critical time,” Scott said. “This inaction is utterly appalling.”

The bulk of Scott’s criticism was reserved for Bishop Robert Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida. “Where is this Catholic ‘leader’ when one of his parishioners needs him the most?” Scott asked. “Every member of the clergy, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, should be pounding the pulpit every Sunday, insisting that Terri’s life be spared,” Scott said. “Every member of the clergy should be speaking out about Terri every day until this matter is resolved in Terri’s favor. This is not the time for cowardice, complacency or weakness. Terri’s life depends on it. Any member of the clergy who does not do all he can to save Terri’s life is party to any disaster that befalls her.”