Was Pope's Death A Mercy Killing?

Medical Professor Says John Paul II Was Euthanized, If Church's Own Teachings Applied

(CBS)  In a highly provocative article that has caused a firestorm in Italy, a doctor claims the Catholic Church in effect practiced what it would class as euthanasia on Pope John Paul II by failing to insert a feeding tube into the ailing pontiff in time.

As CBS News correspondent Allen Pizzey reported on The Early Show Wednesday, the pope's slow demise was watched by hundreds of thousands who jammed St. Peter's Square, and by the rest of the world on TV.

The physician leveling the mercy killing allegation, Dr. Lina Pavanelli, heads the intensive care medical school at Italy's University of Ferrara.

"The doctors had done something, the doctors didn't inform the pope completely, or the pope decided," Pavanelli told CBS News. "These are the three conclusions that I reached."

She based her conclusions, Pizzey points out, on TV coverage, press reports, and a book by the pontiff's personal physician.

A feeding tube wasn't inserted into John Paul II until three days before he died, which Pavanelli charges was far too late.

One of the effects of the late stages of Parkinson's disease, which afflicted John Paul II for years, is an inability to swallow.

In her article, Pavanelli writes that, "I let my perceptions conform to the hope of recovery and the official version, without confronting the clinical signs that I was seeing."

John Paul II's successor, Benedict XVI, recently issued a document denouncing cutting off food and water to patients in a vegetative state.

The Vatican took that stance in the case of Terri Schiavo, the severely brain-damaged American woman who was eventually taken off a feeding tube and died. The Vatican ruled that, "The administration of food and water, even by artificial means is, in principle, an ordinary way of preserving life."

The Vatican also ran into controversy when it refused to grant a church funeral for an Italian man who successfully petitioned to be allowed to die after being on life support for nine years.

The euthanasia allegation will be almost impossible to prove, Pizzey says, not in the least because Dr. Pavanelli wasn't part of the pope's medical team.

All the Vatican will have to do, Pizzey adds, is point to John Paul II's insistence on suffering in public to show his belief that all life has value.

And Father Thomas Williams, a CBS News consultant and Catholic theologian based in Rome, dismisses Pavanelli's conclusions.

"I think," he told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith Wednesday, "it (failing to insert the feeding tube for so long) was a medical decision. It could have been a good one or bad one. But euthanasia, remember, is the intentional acceleration of the death of a person. And, I think, to allege that they intentionally accelerated Pope John Paul's death is really farfetched. I don't think anyone wanted that -- not the pope himself, and not anyone who was close to him."

"I have spoken with a number of doctors, both ... in Italy and in the United States about this," Williams continued, "and there's no consensus there. Dr. Pavanelli is definitely in the minority in saying the tube should have been inserted earlier. In fact, the tube is only put in when the patient is no longer able to ingest food and liquid by his or herself. And the pope was able to do that until shortly before his death."

Williams observed that, "Everybody loves a conspiracy theory, especially when it relates to the Catholic Church. I remember back in 1978, when Pope Paul VI died, everyone started putting forth theories that he was poisoned or killed in some way. The same thing happened after the death of John Paul I, so I'm not really surprised."

There's been no official Vatican reaction to Pavanelli's article yet and, "I don't think there will be, unless the reaction to this reaches a critical mass where the Vatican feels that it's obliged to make some sort of a statement," Williams says. "There has been an immediate statement by the pope's personal doctor ... who was there at the pope's bedside up to the point of his death. He said these allegations are simply false."

This story wins the "Dan Rather Award" for sensationalizing unsubstantiated claims and elevating them to National "News".

And you folks wonder why your ratings are in the tank - will you EVER learn - or is your agenda THAT ingrained ?

[oleander8]

" I suspect an agenda is at work here..."[Posted by robbylove]

...talk about your conspiracy theorists!

[mswolfestock]

If I wanted to read sensationalized garbage like this, I''d stick with the National Enquirer.

[funkiwiteboy]

Has anybody heard
the man complain...?

[hober_mallow]

mswolfestock, but you DID read it... ;-)

[glossypan]

Churches not practicing what they preach. Surely not.

[gkc99]

So why weren''t the Repugs in the U.S. Congress diagnosing the Pope from watching the TV shows?

[thinkharder-]

This has got to be one of the most rediculously sensationalized story by CBS to date. They should euthanize this story...garbage.

[thinkharder-]

I didn''''t say conspiracy, I said "agenda". People can have an agenda and let stories slide through that support their agenda. A conspiracy involves multiple people, an agenda can be pushed by a single person. Learn. To. Read. Newb.
Posted by RobbyLove

LOL Robby...you should change your name to Captain Semantics

[nolalou]

koko98 , There is nothing in this article that says the pope had a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order. The catholic church DOES consider it a big deal, that''s why they got involved in the Terry Schivo case. Just read the article, where it says "The Vatican also ran into controversy when it refused to grant a church funeral for an Italian man who successfully petitioned to be allowed to die after being on life support for nine years." Does this sound like DNR is not a big deal for the Catholic Church?

Don''t get me wrong, I don''t agree with the Church on this issue, and it wouldn''t bother me if the Pope didn''t want to be fed artificially to prolong his life, but that is NOT what the church teaches.

[bwessels]

"The main stream media wonders why people have taken to the blogsphere in droves, yet continues to try to spoon food (sic) us garbage."

Ah, but it DOES continue to feed us. :-)

[reporter14]

Hey, do tou know that there are Haunted Houses through out the USA, there may be one right next door to you! Would you like to know? just go to :
www.poconocommunitynews.com/hauntedhouses.html
And you well find there locations......

[retmilspouse]

koko98,
The last time I checked the Pope lived in his own sovereign city. And the rules within his country are just a tad bit different than here. Goofball.

[retmilspouse]

woozybarnes,

The sad thing is that the person you don''t give a *** about would be the one that would lay down his life for you. To a man of God everyone even the lowly ones and sinners are all children of God in their eyes. Now for me I am a sinner myself that''s why I think you are a piece of c''r''a''p.

[jonny_chaos]

Anyone remember Pope John Paul the First?

[ozonmojo]

The media should first investigate thoroughly the background of Dr. Lina Pavanelli and why she has chosen to come out now with this kind of sensational and highly suspicious information.Her motivation warrants careful scrutiny.

[jonny_chaos]

retmilspouse are you kidding? you really believe that? wow, your a good alter boy.

[mollydtt]

I love the way doctors make their diagnoses from TV coverage and interviews from thousands of miles away. I remember watching an interview with a doctor back when Terry Schiavo''s case was in the news. After watching all the news coverage he realized he had a way to cure her. Yeah right. Never been in the room with someone, but knows more than the specialists that were.

[jonny_chaos]

Pope John Paul I (Latin: Ioannes Paulus PP. I, Italian: Giovanni Paolo I), born Albino Luciani, (October 17, 1912%u2014September 28, 1978) reigned as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and as Sovereign of Vatican City from August 26, 1978 until his death. His 33-day papacy was one of the shortest reigns in papal history, resulting in the most recent Year of Three Popes. John Paul I was the first Pope to have been born in the 20th century.

[jonny_chaos]

remarks made by the Pope, indicating that he believed the church''s position on contraception was immoral and outdated. In conversation with several people, the Pope had indicated that a rethink of the encyclical Humanae Vitae was needed, allowing the use of the contraceptive pill among the faithful. The late Pope supported these comments by reference to malnutrition in the Third World, with the words "God does not always provide".

[jonny_chaos]

as far as John Paul 2 it really wasnt a "mercy killing" in so far as no one killed him, he died. that happens. now, them not wanting to feed him thru a tube makes perfect sense. he is gods emissary after all. not cool for an icon to be on life support, might freak out the faithful, make him look less then divine.

[jonny_chaos]

DNR is a good idea. think life is that precious, go to critical care and watch some of the old folks. hear them screaming in dementia and pain not good publicty. besides, when this whole tradition of extending life started, it wasnt possible to keep bringing you back. now you can bring em back for an amazing number of times. with no good prognosis, whats it do? if your dying from old age, you aint gonna get better. you dont get young again.

[reporter14]

A picture is worth a thousand Words,
www.poconocommunitynews.com

[retmilspouse]

jonny_chaos,
Yes I do believe because I am one of the Faithfull, even though I know I am a sinner and am not perfect. There was only one perfect person in this world and he died on the cross for all of us whether you believe in him or not he is there for all of us. And I was not an altar boy, I am a girl and was not allowed to do that when I was a kid. But now I do serve my parish in a number of was through stewardship.

[jonny_chaos]

Jesus was one thing, popes are another. one is "the son of god" the other is a figure head. how can you confuse Jesus with the rabble that claims to speak for him?

if you were refering to jesus as the one person who would lay down his life, ok. i misread you to be refering to the pope, any pope.

i''m still not convinced his murders (jesus''s) didnt pull the wool over the lot of, or all christians eyes. after all, what he said and they do, is worlds apart.
sorry your so convinced your a sinner... dont do it anymore. simple enough.

[canyoutellme-2009]

the whole religion thing is a farce. You people crack me up. Catholics have been preaching death for eons... what do you think the crusades were about? geezus. The Catholics, Christians, and many other religions teach peace out of one side of their mouth, and then preach death out of the other side. Can''t we all... just... get along?

[jonny_chaos]

canyoutellme, have you ever noticed that the three major violent religions are all from the source?

[jonny_chaos]

thats same source, read tribe of isreal. reminds me of heirs fighting over money. my way is the way, i''m right, my team is best, because its my team. kind of stupid. but all they are is the word of man, not god. why pay attention to john or paul? they arent jesus. if your a christian, ignore those that arent jesus. otherwise, your just buying the house, sight unseen. and the old testament isnt really that different then the koran, same old tribal law and follow the leader or be damned.

[socrates392]

Posted by robbylove at 04:05 PM : Sep 26, 2007

Which Christian church? Am I an African American or not? Am I a Jew, a Latino, an Asian? Am I in the South or the North? Is the KKK active in my area?

I guess it would really depend. I don''t assume that Christians are necessarily any less violent than any other demonination or athesists or agnostics for that matter.

[jonny_chaos]

lol. robbylove are you afraid? it really depends on if i smell like a target or not. usually, i dont. maybe you do. i walk about anywhere i want, whenever i like. usually others get out of my way. sometimes i have to push them though. no worries, when i die, i die. chance i''m willing to take. when i meet god, nothing will have changed, he knows me already. nothing to fear but fear itself.

i''m going to hell, see you there. 1st commandment, no god before me. so, get off your knees, your worshiping man made icons.

[jonny_chaos]

let me put it another way, do you worship god from fear or love? if its fear, you havent a snow balls chance in an oven. if its love, your heart is pure, and you have nothing to fear. you did the best you could.

[mitch0927]

jonny_chaos, who the heck are you spouting off things you know nothing about? Just because you have a computer you think you have a grasp on everything because of things like wikipedia? You should just back off and let the adults comment.

[jonny_chaos]

oh, sorry mitch, should have known, you on the hotline arent you.

[mitch0927]

I have been exposed to many religions throughout the world, and to see such blatant comments from someone tells me they know nothing, because its your way or no way.....not good.

[jonny_chaos]

wikipedia? lol. easy to quote from for sure. makes it easier then typing out who john paul the first was for sure...

[mitch0927]

John Paul.....you talking about the Beatles? If not, why not put the name down correctly, John Paul II

[jonny_chaos]

no, i''m actually saying that there isnt a set way in my opinion, and that if you follow a god or religion from fear as not love, your just doing what your told. if you''ve been exposed to so many doctrines, you should know that the society you live in will dictate the religion you follow.

[name_verify]

They need to keep your brain alive in case they can do human head transplant. Thats got nothing to do with CBS.

[mitch0927]

I generally don''t communicate with someone who can''t spell or grammatically put things into words. You must be some sort of lost child that is shut away in your room with nothing better to do than spout off stuff that makes you laugh.

[jonny_chaos]

Mitch, your English composition is a bit suspect as well sir. I suppose that is the nature of posting comments. Had I known that my casual approach to language would offend as much as my assault on your faith, I would have been more mindful of my grammar and spelling. Sorry, no, I%u2019m not a child. I am, however a bit weary of the religious resurgence that began in the 80s. I find it an impedance to logical discourse and feel its out of place in a secular government such as the United States. I would prefer that individuals would refrain from accosting me on the street to share the joy their evangelical rebirth has provided them. I will admit that my posts are a bit disrespectful and will refrain from directing my anger at the general chaos religion is causing on topics as amorphous as the nature of god, and the events in the Vatican.

[jonny_chaos]

or to put it another way... bite me.

[name_verify]

This is all the Libs fault. Libs said that perverts were like alcoholics who could be sent away for few months and rehabilitated. Now everybody knows Libs are wrong in a dangerous way.

[jonny_chaos]

John Paul.....you talking about the Beatles? If not, why not put the name down correctly, John Paul II

________________________________________
Posted by mitch0927 at 04:54 PM : Sep 26, 2007

Apparently some folks, mitch0927 in particular, are unaware that Pope John Paul II succeeded Pope John Paul. I was referring to Pope John Paul as it is suspected he was murdered due to his convictions regarding both contraception and the Vatican%u2019s obligation to use the money it posses to improve the lives of the poor. the speculation is, he upset the more conservative branches of the church, in particular Opus Dei, with his desire to spread the wealth amongst the needy, as opposed to the churches hierarchy.

I find it particularly amusing that one who insinuates I am ignorant has such a blatant lack of knowledge of the topic, and secession of popes.

Screen_ident, what are you talking about?

anyway, its been fun... i''m off to see the wizard or something.

[linfinster]

Johnny, Most people who comment on grammar and syntax really have nothing to say and just want to be seen.
I can understand your disgust with religion. I myself agree it is corrupt and full of hypocrisies. But that is man succumbing to Satan who is flooding (hmm how appropriate .. lol)the world with false religion to distract and will, ultimately, allow God to step in and remedy the situation. Keep searching for God. You may find Him.
Mitch, you should let people express themselves. This is a post for comments.

[reporter14]

A Picture is worth a thousand Words

www.poconocommunitynews.com

[soldat44]

"She based her conclusions, Pizzey points out, on TV coverage, press reports,..."

Boy, that seals it! Give me a break. I bet the ''doctor'' is looking to sell a book. What''ya think?

[soldat44]

This is all the Libs fault. Libs said that perverts were like alcoholics who could be sent away for few months and rehabilitated. Now everybody knows Libs are wrong in a dangerous way.

Posted by screen_ident at 05:35 PM : Sep 26, 2007

''Oh, look, here comes the nurse now with your meds. Thank goodness, it was almost too late.''

[jonny_chaos]

All flame baiting aside. Regardless of how the diagnosis of the %u201Cmercy killing%u201D was made, John Paul II was old and infirm. At most he was allowed to die without extraordinary measures having been taken to maintain his life. Is it a mercy killing to allow the aged to pass away with some remaining dignity? There is no indication of conscious euthanasia, which would entail some act to hasten his death. Withholding a feeding tube for a dying man is not a mercy killing, its accepting the inevitable.

Mitch just proves the point, communicate effectively and attempt not to offend thru the language used. People don%u2019t want to hear a different opinion, and using poor grammar or foul language just gives them an excuse to discredit what%u2019s said.

for instance this bit of noise: And all you Baptist losers that keep bringing up pedophile priests and somehow making the leap to connect JPII with their ilk - - go get a life.

And gofuckyourselvestodeath.

Baptist losers? I suspect you mean protestant.

[jdeltoro1]

I am just now reading this article, not the comments made by others. Where do they find these attention seeking losers? To capitalize on someone''s death, a death that she did not even witness. It''s poor credibility on her part to make such accusations, and poor journalism on behalf of the news agencies such as this one to report it. I suppose she is kin to the "archaeologist" who found Jesus'' tomb. Real archaeologists put that one to rest, real quickly. Let him rest and get back to practicing our beliefs.

[name_verify]

Thats what Libs do, destroy churches.