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New Catholic university creates Schiavo scholarship

Ave Maria University's scholarship for students studying for priesthood honors a woman who was the focus of a long ethical debate before she died.

NAPLES - The fledgling Ave Maria University announced Friday it has established a scholarship in Terri Schiavo's name for students planning to join the priesthood.

The Terri Schindler-Schiavo Scholarship aims "to carry on Terri's name and assist future priests and laypersons in creating and developing a Catholic culture of life," a statement said.

Terri Schiavo, who suffered severe brain damage when her heart temporarily stopped in 1990, died March 31 from dehydration after her feeding tube was disconnected despite efforts by Gov. Jeb Bush, her parents, antiabortion activists and some state and national lawmakers to keep her alive.

The Vatican condemned her death as "arbitrarily hastened" and called the removal of the tube a violation of Christian principles.

Her husband, Michael Schiavo, said his wife would not have wanted to remain alive in what many doctors said was a persistent vegetative state.

The goal is to have up to $4-million available to students for the annual endowed scholarship within a few years, the university said.

"It's great to have an institution willing to take on something like this," said her father, Bob Schindler. "We feel that Terri was chosen by God to combat evil, and what a fine way to pay tribute to her life."

The liberal arts school, founded by Domino's Pizza magnate Thomas Monaghan, graduated its first class this spring. It has been conducting classes in temporary facilities pending the expected completion of a $220-million, 750-acre campus next year.

[Last modified July 9, 2005, 01:01:15]