POPE FRANCIS URGES UK TO ALLOW ALFIE EVANS TO LIVE
For The Second Time In As Many Years, The British Socialized Health Care System Wants To Euthanize A Child Who Is Sick.
https://www.trunews.com/stream/pope-francis-urges-uk-to-allow-alfie-evans-to-live
The United Kingdom’s socialized health care system is prepared to euthanize a child because its doctors have determined there is nothing else they can do—even though doctors in other countries are willing to try additional options. Now, Pope Francis has weighed in, urging the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu children’s hospital to “do everything possible” to receive Alfie Evans, the British child who has an as-yet undiagnosed brain disease. The pontiff met with Alfie’s father Wednesday and was reportedly deeply moved by the story. Alfie’s parents have attempted to seek treatment outside of the British National Health System but his doctors at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool say his condition is incurable, and they are prepared to remove his life support. Following a hearing Monday, the British Appellate Court sided with the doctors. The case will now go to the UK’s Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the head of Bambino Gesu said her hospital is already prepared to receive the child. She also expressed her consternation that British officials won’t allow the child to be transported: “We are not questioning the diagnosis by the English hospital. We are only offering the possibility for the child to continue living. For us it is a little difficult to understand why they will not allow him to be transported. You cannot cure everyone, but you can take care of everyone as far as possible. We take away no child’s chance to live.”
Italian Bishop Francesco Cavina, who arranged the papal audience for Alfie’s father, said the entire situation defies human logic: “Two parents asking to transfer their child from one hospital to another—I do not understand why this should be prevented, if not in Italy then in any other hospital in England. It is hard to understand something like this.” Last summer, a worldwide effort attempted to prevent the UK government from euthanizing Charlie Gard just shy of his first birthday, a matter that involved the European Court of Human Rights, which ultimately sided with doctors over the wishes of parents.