Search
Subscribe to Religion News Blog
Religion News Blog headlines by Email
Follow Religion News Blog at Twitter
Subscribe to Religion News Blog Subscribe only to this topic: Jehovah's Witnesses
Most Popular This Week
- Buddhist Bhutan Proposes ‘Anti-Conversion’ Law
- Benny Hinn reportedly romantically involved with televangelist Paula White
- Congo’s children battle witchcraft accusations
- Solomon’s Temple in Brazil would put Christ the Redeemer in the shade
- The Yoga Mogul: John Friend, founder of Anusara
- Oregon faith-healing parents fight to get baby back, face criminal charges
- Solid Rock pastors’ strong stances stir scorn, adoration
- 200 ‘witches’ killed in India each year – report
- North Miami Beach police: Ex-cult member’s son shot at teens
- Televangelists Benny Hinn and Paula White deny affair
Parents split over treatment of Jehovah’s Witness girl hug at her burial
Canadian Press, Sep. 13, 2002
http://www.canada.com/
CALGARY (CP) – The parents who fought bitterly over the treatment of their cancer-stricken Jehovah’s Witness daughter shared their sorrow Thursday at her burial. Arliss and Lawrence Hughes stood looking at each other for a second at the gravesite of 17-year-old Bethany, seemingly unsure what to do.
Then they hugged for close to a minute, tears rolling down their faces, staining his dark suit. As they pulled apart, she dabbed his eyes with a scrunched-up tissue.
“I just hope that everyone will know this is a difficult time for us,” said Arliss, her face red with emotion. “We were always very proud of Bethany, and we all loved her very much.”
Bethany died Sept. 5 after an eight-month battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
A staunch Jehovah’s Witness, the teenager made headlines when she refused blood transfusions, a treatment that went against her faith.
Her father launched a legal fight and Bethany was made a ward of the province, and forced to undergo close to 40 transfusions against her will, a decision she fought in all levels of the courts.
She spent the last six weeks of her life seeking alternative treatment at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.
Lawrence, in the middle of divorce proceedings with Arliss, had stayed away from the huge public memorial service “out of respect to Bethany and my family.” But he said Thursday he had to attend the graveside service, to say a final goodbye.
He stood over his daughter’s grave, placing a stem of white flowers on the coffin that was mauve, Bethany’s favourite colour. He then hugged his two other daughters, Cassandra Hughes, 15, and Athalia Larson, 22.
“I didn’t get to see her (Bethany) for over two months. Her or my other daughter, Cassie,” he said, referring to the time Bethany spent at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.
“I did visit her body yesterday. And I had to come here today. Bethany’s death doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Arliss Hughes, who was at her daughter’s bedside for her last hours, struggled through both services, her daughters and Bethany’s lawyer, David Gnam, at her side.
She bowed her head in prayer beside the grave, tightly gripping Cassandra’s hand, and consoled by family friend Iolanda Brady.
Another of Bethany’s lawyers, David Day, of St. John’s, Nfld., has said he will follow her wishes by continuing her fight in court for the right of minors to make their own medical decisions.
Lawrence has said he intends to file a lawsuit against the Watchtower Society, the legal organization that represents the religious group.
Bookmark, Share, or Email This Page
|
Related News Articles
Read Another Religion News Article
Subscribe to Religion News Blog updates
Find Related Information
Find Related Books
Most Popular RNB Articles Today
Religion Search Engines: • Religion News • Christian Apologetics Search • Counter Cult Search
Search Religion News Blog
Apologetics Search: Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs.
