M
maryceleste
Guest
Animals are for food, but they’re not just for food. They’re also to help us in our chores, and to give us companionship. More importantly, they’re to show forth God’s glory…and to give us an opportunity to show our wise and compasionate stewardship of His creation.
Trelow:
When the calf is a couple of months old – still exclusively drinking its mother’s milk – the meat is pale and tender. Trouble is, there isn’t much of a yield (i.e. profit) at this point. One solution would be to wait until the calf is a few months older before slaughtering it. By this time, of course, it’s partially weaned and developing bigger muscles from wandering around the pasture. This meat, known as “grass-fed” or “grain-fed” veal, is delicious. It just isn’t quite as delicate in flavor and texture as the younger veal, which many consumers prefer.
Another, more popular solution is for farmers to use unnatural means to raise much bigger calves that still have that “milk-fed” taste. To this end, they’ve developed all kinds of tricks, including tiny crates, nutritionally deficient formulas, and – the latest trend – growth hormone implants.
I doubt that the “fatted calf” of Prodigal Son fame was put through all that.
Trelow:
Trelow:
In any case, maybe this reference will be more to your liking. It quotes an article that was written by an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and published in “L’Osservatore Romano,” the Vatican’s official newspaper, in December 2000: Vatican Official Urges Just Relationship with Animals
*Hendrickx said the question today is whether `“the right to use animals to feed oneself implies raising chicken in cages that are each smaller than a notebook.”
"Or raising calves in boxes where they cannot move or see the light of day? Or pinning down sows with iron rings into a nursing position so that piglets can suck the milk without ever stopping, and thus grow faster?’’ she said.
Hendrickx said that in applying church teaching, Catholics should remember that causing suffering to animals should be avoided unless there are serious reasons to do so. Feeding oneself or one’s family is a legitimate reason, but the sole motive of profit is not, she said.*
I’ll assume this is a serious question, and you’re not just being facetious… “Veal” simply means “meat from baby cows.” It’s quite possible to raise veal humanely. You just let the calves live normal lives in the pasture and the barn, with their mothers and the rest of the herd, then butcher them at a suitable time.
When the calf is a couple of months old – still exclusively drinking its mother’s milk – the meat is pale and tender. Trouble is, there isn’t much of a yield (i.e. profit) at this point. One solution would be to wait until the calf is a few months older before slaughtering it. By this time, of course, it’s partially weaned and developing bigger muscles from wandering around the pasture. This meat, known as “grass-fed” or “grain-fed” veal, is delicious. It just isn’t quite as delicate in flavor and texture as the younger veal, which many consumers prefer.
Another, more popular solution is for farmers to use unnatural means to raise much bigger calves that still have that “milk-fed” taste. To this end, they’ve developed all kinds of tricks, including tiny crates, nutritionally deficient formulas, and – the latest trend – growth hormone implants.
I doubt that the “fatted calf” of Prodigal Son fame was put through all that.
Of course it’s better for cows to be able to see the sun, just like it’s better for us. It’s how we were designed. Or do you think God made a mistake when he invented the outdoors?
Okay, PETA is dreadful. But not all of the groups Ella mentioned are fanatical about animal welfare. For example, slowfood.org is mainly interested in keeping all kinds of great-tasting foods (cheeses, sausages, etc.) from extinction. Yum yum.
In any case, maybe this reference will be more to your liking. It quotes an article that was written by an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and published in “L’Osservatore Romano,” the Vatican’s official newspaper, in December 2000: Vatican Official Urges Just Relationship with Animals
*Hendrickx said the question today is whether `“the right to use animals to feed oneself implies raising chicken in cages that are each smaller than a notebook.”
"Or raising calves in boxes where they cannot move or see the light of day? Or pinning down sows with iron rings into a nursing position so that piglets can suck the milk without ever stopping, and thus grow faster?’’ she said.
Hendrickx said that in applying church teaching, Catholics should remember that causing suffering to animals should be avoided unless there are serious reasons to do so. Feeding oneself or one’s family is a legitimate reason, but the sole motive of profit is not, she said.*
