Schiavo Case Nears End, Bush says Intervention Not Possible
''I don't have powers from the United States Constitution -- or for that matter from the Florida Constitution -- that would allow me to intervene after a decision has been made''
Terri Schiavo’s supporters stood ground outside of the Woodside Hospice where the disabled – and now starved and dehydrated – woman resides, observing Easter rites and holding solemn ceremonies in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection, Sunday, March 28, 2005.
Terri Schiavo received her last rites and Easter communion – a drop of wine, but no bread – as protestors outside held mass outside of her window.
The Rev. Thaddeus Malanowski held Terri's right hand as he and hospice priest Rev. Joseph Braun placed the droplet on her tongue. Malanowski also anointed her with holy oil, offered a blessing and absolved her of sin, according to the Associated Press.
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"She received the blood of Christ," said Malanowski, who added he could not give her a fleck of bread because her tongue was so dry.
The priest also added that “death is imminent” for the disabled 41-yea-old woman whose feeding tube was removed 10 full days earlier.
Meanwhile, protestors vowed to continue fighting for Terri’s life and pledge to go to Washington to let their voices be heard.
"We are Terri's voice. Right now, Terri is fighting for her life," the Rev. Patrick Mahoney shouted Sunday, his face reddening.
But with increasing arrests and a rising tide of violence by supporters, Bobby Schindler, Schiavo’s brother, asked demonstrators to keep their means peaceful.
"We're not going to solve this problem today by getting arrested,” Schindler said.
But his plea was not effective, as five people were arrested for attempting to bring in water. One man was arrested before dawn for trying to bring a jug of water to Schiavo. Most of the 75-100 protestors were telling Governor Bush to take custody over Terri and feed her water.
Bush meanwhile said there is nothing more he could do to save Terri’s life, early Sunday.
“I cannot violate a court order," Bush said to CNN after attending Easter Sunday church services. "I don't have powers from the United States Constitution -- or for that matter from the Florida Constitution -- that would allow me to intervene after a decision has been made.
"I'm sad that she's in the situation that she's in," Bush said, commenting publicly on the case for the first time since Thursday. "I feel bad for her family. My heart goes out to the Schindlers and, for that matter, to [her husband] Michael [Schiavo]," Bush said. "This has not been an easy thing for any, any member of the family. But most particularly for Terri Schiavo."
David Gibbs III, the Schindler family lawyer, thanked the governor for his efforts to date and called him a friend of the family.
Gibbs also remarked that Terri has passed the point where “physically she would be able to recover.”
Terri’s mother, Mary Schindler, meanwhile did not visit the hospice on Sunday, emotions keeping her away from Terri for the first time since the tube was removed on March 18, according to Paul O’Donnell, a Roman Catholic Franciscan monk and family spokesman.
"If she goes in there again, we might have to take her to the hospital," O'Donnell said.
According to the Associated Press, the Schindlers gave up their years-long battle to keep their daughter alive by Sunday. However, at least two more appeals are pending by the state and Gov. Bush.
