In a statement provided in March 2004, Pope John Paul II urges us to see every patient in a so-called "vegetative" state as a fellow human being, retaining his or her full dignity despite diminished abilities.  Regarding nourishment for such patients, he said:               I should like particularly to underline how the administration of water and food, even when provided by artificial means, always represents a natural means of preserving life, not a mere medical act.  Its use, furthermore, should be considered principle, ordinary and proportionate, and as such morally obligatory, insofar as and until it is seen to have attained its proper finality, which in the present case consists in providin  nourishment to the patient and alleviation of her suffering.   Simply put, we are called to provide basic means of sustenance such as food and water unless they are doing more harm than good to the patient, or are useless because the patient’s death is imminent.  As long as they effectively provide nourishment and help provide comfort, we should see them as part of what we owe to all who are helpless and in our care.   In certain situations a patient may morally refuse medical treatment and such decisions may properly be seen as an expression of our hope of union with God in the life to come.      While she was alive, the Church prayed that Terri Schindler Schiavo's family and friends, and all who held power over her fate, would see that she continued to receive nourishment, comfort and loving care."            Archbishop John C. Favalora Archdiocese of Miami Bishop John J. Nevins Diocese of Venice Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ Diocese of Pensacola/Tallahassee Bishop Robert N. Lynch Diocese of St. Petersburg Bishop Victor Galeone Diocese of St. Augustine Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, JCL Diocese of Palm Beach Bishop Thomas G. Wenski Diocese of Orlando Auxiliary Bishop Felipe J. Estévez Archdiocese of Miami     Florida Catholic Conference 201 W. Park Avenue * Tallahassee, FL * 32301-7715 Phone (850) 222-3803 * Fax (850) 681-9548

When Terri Schiavo became a national media story I reflected on the passing of my own mother under similiar circumstaces. I realized the issues of this case transcended beyond Right to Life issues. I became intensely interested as I watched familiar names cross the TV screen, including persons that were involved in our own mother’s guardianship. I devoured all the writings published and read the blogs written by numerous interested parties.   Former LA detective, Mark Furhman, a key witness in the O J Simpson case wrote a best seller, "Silent Witness", about his follow up investigation of Terri Schiavo. He took on the role of a detective, set aside the Right to Life issues and investigated the cause and effect of Terri’s coma. The book became an instant best seller.   Soon after reading the book, I had the good fortune to attend a forum at a Catholic Church in Daytona Beach where Bob and Mary Schindler, the parents of Terri Schiavo were the guest speakers. After the forum, I met the Schindler’s in the Church Hall where we engaged in a wonderful conversation. We were all astonished at the similarities we experienced during our mutual ordeals, including the fact that we both retained the same attorney, Mark Shames, to represent us at the commencement of proceedings. Attorney Shames was later appointed Judge to the Circuit Court. The Terri Schiavo timeline almost mirrors our mother’s timeline regarding events and procedures, beginning with confinement at Humana Hospital within months of one another and the following guardian appointments, Court hearings and nursing home confinements. During the visit, we spoke about many things including items uncovered by Mark Furhman that the publisher chose to leave out of the book before its published release.   What the timeline of the book, “Silent Witness” shows is Michael Schiavo moving through emotions from concern, compassion, guilt and cover-up and then to greed and his determined pursuit to end Terri’s life once malpractice award settlements were received. It was here where I began to see a mirror image of my brother, Russell Buchan.   I was inspired by the Schindler’s passion to protect their daughter’s life and their continued efforts after her death to alert the world about injustice and complacency of the guardians and Court system in Pinellas County, Florida. What I began to realize, confirmed by conversations with the Schindler’s is the extent family members will go to become probate predators. Michael Schiavo spent eight years in Court seeking action to terminate his wife’s life. Many now believe his efforts were a guise to covet her malpractice awards.     I began to realize my own brother, Russell Buchan spent almost fourteen years in pursuit of coveting family estate assets that included lying before the Court when our father died in 1994 and later manipulating our mother’s guardian and deceiving family members in his efforts to kill his mother.   I have determined the fact that Russell Buchan succeeded in his effort to kill our mother needs to be made known so the issues of family greed and its effect on elder care are not ignored in the future.   The Terri Schiavo case and the death of our mother are not isolated incidents.

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