The Friars with Terri's Parents

The St. Petersburg Times reports on the Minnesota-based Franciscan Brothers of Peace, who have often been seen at the side of Terri Schiavo's parents

"They have come to Florida, they say, because they are staunch right-to-life supporters, because they can help raise money for the Schindlers, and because of what happened to Brother Michael.

"In 1982, Michael Gaworski founded the order.

"The fledgling group took over a former convent and the Brothers began collecting food and clothing for the needy, ministering to international survivors of torture, witnessing at a juvenile detention center and conducting sidewalk counseling at abortion clinics.

"Gaworski suffered a heart attack in 1991 that left him in a condition similar to that of Terri Schiavo - with severe brain damage and dependent on a feeding tube for nourishment. For the next 12 years, the friars cared for Gaworski in their downtown St. Paul friary" until he died of pneumonia in 2003.

The Order's website is www.brothersofpeace.org

(UPDATE: Relevant Radio has another story about the Friars and Terri Schiavo - hat tip: Amy Welborn)