Cardinal Bevilacqua did not watch the program, but at a news conference prior to the broadcast, he issued a personal appeal to the news media for the featured segment to be withdrawn. Life is valuable, no matter its condition, no matter its qualities. We can not judge a person solely by their illness or their disability. Relieving pain is really an expression of human mercy.
People do have a right to live without pain.
But, medicines of today are so advanced that the means are available for people to live without pain. Archdiocesan Communications Director, Cathy Rossi and Respect Life Office Director, Helen Kelleher were asked by some members of the media to review the program. The victim was never offered any spiritual comfort prior to dying. He basically signed his life away on someone else's words of hopelessness. Neither he nor his family detailed any pain or suffering, just simply a will to die.