Bishop welcomes court decision on Tafida Raqeeb case

Tafida Raqeeb

Bishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, has welcomed the decision by the High Court to allow parents to take their brain damaged daughter abroad for treatment.

Doctors caring for five-year-old Tafida Raqeeb at the Royal London Hospital had decided take the child off a life-support machine because they thought no further treatment was possible. Tafida's parents Shelina Begum and Mohammed Raqeep, want to take her to the Gaslini Children's Hospital in Genoa, Italy. They argued that under Islamic law, only God could take the decision to end her life.

Commented on the ruling, Bishop John said: "I welcome today's ruling which has taken account of the wishes of Tafida's parents and their innate urge to do all they can to help their daughter in what are truly tragic circumstances. The heart-breaking illness of Tafida Raqeeb and the distress which the illness of a child causes parents touches the hearts of many people.

"I trust that all the medical professionals will cooperate to continue to give her the best possible care and appropriate treatment. Such international cooperation is essential good practice in the care of tragically difficult lives. I will keep these professionals in my prayers.

"I, along with many others, have held this family in my prayers and will continue to pray that Tafida and her parents are strengthened by the presence and mercy of God, and by the support of all who know and love her."