After returning from his trip to Rome this afternoon, the father of Alfie Evans, Tom, gave a powerful update on his conversation with Pope Francis. regarding the fate of his son.
Speaking outside Manchester airport, Tom said: “The Pope stated that he wants Alfie in his country and that’s what the president of Bambino Gesu has said today. She is willing to come over and testify in court, her and the team,” as reported by the Daily Mirror.
He continued, “I’ve met the team twice. I’ve got a letter handed to me on behalf of the Pope and the hospital president showing how much they want to take Alfie on.” Tom said he now intends to go back to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and clarify the treatment that the Vatican-linked hospital is able to provide for his son if a transfer is approved by the courts. “I’m going to go to the hospital [Alder Hey] to show them what the hospital [in Italy] can provide for him,” he said.
After appealing to the most powerful man in the Catholic Church and receiving his fervent support, Tom said that it would be a “diplomatic problem” should the hospital disagree with the Pope.
“If they’ve seen how the Pope reacted I’m just hopeful now that they’ll shake their heads and realise that there’s a lot of limelight on him [Alfie] now,” he added.
Tom added that the Pope believed it was the right thing for him to do as a father – to fight on for Alfie’s life and to leave the final result in the hands of God.
“I will do whatever it takes to get Alfie out,” he declared. “The Pope actually stated that I was right and to let God decide. Not Alder Hey, not the doctors here not any parents either.”
He added, “I feel like I’m being listened to and the Pope praised how much courage [Alfie] has got. He’s got the strength of God and I’m only doing it for Alfie, to protect Alfie’s safety and to protect his life.”
“The fact of the matter is no-one decides life unless God does or the child does.”
Tom recalled how Pope Francis stopped him mid-sentence and reassured the heartbroken father that he was doing the right thing.
“I told him everything I could tell him and he was mortified,” Tom explained. “He paused me half-way though and told me that I was right and that God should choose his fate.”
“It’s far from over,” Tom concluded. “Alfie will tell us when it’s over.”
On Tuesday, Alfie’s legal representatives, the Christian Legal Centre, filed paperwork with the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, urging the court to rule that the parents be given the power to decide when to take their son off his ventilator. Alfie suffers from a degenerative neurological disease that is causing his brain matter to waste away.
Faithwire spoke to the CLC’s Roger Kiska to get an update on the current situation.
‘The Brain Just Dies Away’: Consultant Pediatrician Discusses Alfie Evans’ Devastating Condition
“Habeas corpus liberty cannot be set aside by a judge’s view that it is in Alfie’s interest to die now,” Mr. Kiska told Faithwire Tuesday. The Habeas Corpus Act 1679 was an Act of the UK Parliament that requires the courts to examine the “lawfulness of a prisoner’s detention and thus prevent unlawful or arbitrary imprisonment.”
Mr. Kiska explained to Faithwire that Alfie’s parents should not be prevented from moving their son to another treatment facility.
“Kate and Tom, Alfie’s parents, do not accept that it is in his best interests to have his life ended by a judge’s ruling; they should be free to take him to a hospital that is ready and willing to treat him. Alfie should also be able to access the treatment being offered abroad.
Amid the tumultuous and emotional legal battle, the Christian Legal Centre called on believers to pray for a positive decision from the Supreme Court.
“We ask for your readers to pray for sustained strength for Tom and Kate, as well as Alfie, who has shown the same tenacity and fighting spirit his parents have exhibited throughout this ordeal,” Mr. Kiska told Faithwire. “And finally we ask for your readers to pray that the Supreme Court recognize the preciousness of this young boy’s life.”
Yesterday, the Supreme Court confirmed it had received Alfie’s case, issuing a statement on the mattter:
“The parents of Alfie Evans filed their application to appeal to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom earlier this afternoon. They wish to challenge the decision that Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust can withdraw artificial ventilation from their child. The application will be referred to the President of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, and two other members of the Court who will form the decision panel.
The hospital and Alfie’s legal guardian (the person who provides the independent voice of the child in court) will then be asked to provide their views.
The Court is aware of the urgency of this matter.
We will provide updates as further information becomes available.”
“Alfie’s condition is irreversible and untreatable,” the hospital said in a previous statement. “All treatable conditions have been diagnosed. All the experts agree that it will not assist Alfie to subject him to further tests in order to identify a diagnosis.”
We will keep you posted on the crucial Supreme Court ruling.