A: "Here he (the health care worker) will apply the principle - already stated - of appropriate medical treatment", which can be specified thus: When inevitable death is imminent, despite the means used, it is lawful in conscience to decide to refuse treatment that would only secure a precarious and painful prolongation of life, but without interrupting the normal treatment due to the patient in similar cases. Hence the doctor need have no concern; it is not as if he had failed to assist the person in danger. The administration of food and liquids, even artificially, is part of the normal treatment always due to the patient when this is not burdensome for him: their undue suspension could be real and properly so-called euthanasia."¹

"Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being."²

"Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible."³

"Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons, It is morally unacceptable. Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of Judgement into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded."⁴

"Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of 'over-zealous' treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent or able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected."⁵

"Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity."⁶ "Palliate: (1) to reduce the violence of; abate."⁷

"Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception."⁸

"You shall not kill. (the 5th Commandment)."⁹

With all of the above doctrinal teaching of the Roman Catholic Church expressed quite clearly, Terri Schiavo must be allowed to LIVE!