Thousands across Italy mobilise to lobby government to save comatose woman
By Hilary White
ROME, February 6, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Italian government announced at 3 p.m. (Italian time) today that the decree law drafted to prohibit the removal of food and hydration from vulnerable patients has been passed. The government announcement comes as the nursing clinic in Udine, to which Eluana was transferred on Tuesday night by her father, told media this morning that the process of "gradual" removal of food and hydration from Eluana Englaro had begun. Medical experts predicted that from the start of this process, 48 hours would have remained to stop the procedure before irreversible damage was done to Eluana.
The government announced yesterday that the decree law, an emergency measure that would stand for 60 days, had been drafted, but not approved. It had to be signed by the Council of Ministers and, as of late last night, was opposed by Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Italian Republic, and supported by Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister and head of the government. Napolitano, the Head of State and former leader of the Italian Communist party, had sent a letter to the executive explaining his doubts about a measure of its kind.
Today the Ministers voted unanimously despite the doubts of some. "Even those who had doubts were convinced to vote because the government has the opportunity to express its decision but also offers a way to Parliament to decide," one said. Now that it has been accepted, the decree law will stand for 60 days to give Parliament time to debate whether it will be adopted permanently.
Thousands of pro-life groups and individuals across Italy have begged the government to intervene in Eluana's case. Archbishop Pietro Brollo of Udine said on Wednesday, "The only duty society has towards this young woman is to help her to live."
"Udine is ready to embrace Eluana Englaro, a daughter of this land. Upon learning of her arrival, I ask first of all that this woman be guaranteed care, hydration, nutrition and every means that someone who is sick, particularly someone who is very incapacitated, is due by those who have the professional duty in conscience to provide a cure," the archbishop wrote in a statement.
As of this writing, demonstrations are still planned for the weekend in support of Eluana, who is often described as the "Terri Schiavo" of Italy. The Catholic apostolate, Communion and Liberation, which has thousands of followers across Italy, announced it will be mobilising to save Eluana and demonstrating outside the La Quiete clinic in Udine. The group "Two Minutes for Life," a national lobby group, is providing the email addresses of members of parliament and asking the public to demand that the government save Eluana.
Daniele Sebastianelli national coordinator of the Catholic action group Militia Christi told LifeSiteNews.com that they will be demonstrating on Sunday afternoon with a candle light vigil. On Thursday night, the group held a similar vigil outside the Quirinale Palace, the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic.
Movement for Life of Casale, in a press release proposed three "weapons" to save Eluana: "prayer, fasting and the use of computers." They ask that the Catholics of Italy pray the Rosary every day for her life, seeking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes, whose feast is February 11. The group also strongly suggested three days of fasting and requested that all the people of Italy "who are committed to the defence of life should continue to write to the Italian government asking them to use all possible legal instruments to save Eluana's life."
Stefano Gizzi, an attorney and Municipal Councillor of the town of Ceccano, wrote to Senator Maruo Cutrufo, requesting that the decree law to save Eluana be passed, calling it "absolutely urgent" and said that the value of human life is "not negotiable."
The head of the Rome office of Human Life International, Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro, sent a letter today to Berlusconi, pleading for the life of Eluana. Msgr. Barreiro said, "Think of the blessings of the Lord that would come upon Italy if you would have the courage to save the life of Eluana Englaro."
"Think how much those blessings are necessary in this time of crisis when unemployment is increasing when it is harder and harder for families to pay the most basic living expenses.
"If you do not abandon the ways of the Lord, He will not abandon you, and He will reward your fidelity. If instead you let Eluana die, think on the justice of the Lord; think that in a not distant future, you will find yourself in front of the justice of the Lord, and you will need all His mercy.
"But if you save Eluana, our organisation, which is extended worldwide, will praise you publicly, and your courage in justice will be known worldwide. I assure you that in difficult times, I will pray constantly for you."
Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Breaking News: Italian Government Ready with Draft Law to Stop the Killing of Eluana Englaro
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09020501.html
