An old news editor I worked with long ago had a rule for what makes a “trend” story. It went like this…
If something unusual happens, you have just an unusual incident. If something like it happens again, it might be just a coincidence. But when it happens the third time, there is something worth investigating. Something is either terribly right or terribly wrong.
Friends, we have a trend and it isn’t a good one.
Charlie Gard died on July 17, 2017, after a prolonged battle pitting the hospital treating him (who wanted to stop treatment and allow him to die) and his parents, who raised money to continue his treatment. Other doctors and hospitals were willing to treat him. The courts ruled that he had to stay in the UK hospital where he was to die.
Isaiah Haastrup died on March 8, 2018, after a prolonged battle pitting the hospital treating him (who wanted to stop treatment and allow him to die) and his parents, who raised money to continue his treatment. Other doctors and hospitals were willing to treat him. The courts ruled that he had to stay in the UK hospital where he was to die.
Alfie Evans will die after a prolonged battle pitting the hospital treating him (who want to stop treatment and allow him to die) and his parents, who raised money to continue his treatment. Other doctors and hospitals were willing to treat him. The courts ruled that he has to stay in the UK hospital where he will be allowed to die.
I know. It would seem that I keep repeating myself. But it is the medical community and courts in the UK who are doing the repeating and my old editor friend would call this a trend. And being a staunch Roman Catholic, he would have called it an “evil” trend.
Alfie’s father, Tom Evans, met with the Pope last week and was encouraged by the Pope’s determination to help. Tom recounted the visit with the Pope in an exclusive interview with ZENIT:
It went as well as it could have. I was very pleased to meet him. He praised me for my courage. He said I have courage like God. He said there are not many men out there who can take on this type of problem. He stated that ‘no child’s life should be taken away from them.’ I listened very well to what he said.
I am hoping that the next step from this encounter is that the Holy Father will attain for us asylum in the Vatican and that we are going to become Vatican, Italian citizens. That is what our next goal is. From the look on Pope Francis’ face, as you know, I do not understand Italian, but he looked very touched. He was listening and making eye contact. For me, that was the most important thing about the meeting. I am very fortunate to have had this meeting and I am very confident the Pope will do what he can to save Alfie.
In his April 18, 2018, general audience, the Pope spoke of his prayers for Alfie Evans and another case involving Vincent Lambert of France. The Holy Father reminded the world – including the hospitals and courts of the UK – that the only master of life is God.
