Cruelty to animals and Church leadership

[Hokomai]

Have the bishops of any country in which animal cruelty is practised as a sport (for example bull-fighting, cock-fighting) ever spoken formally against it?

 

[severus68]

Have the bishops of any country in which animal cruelty is practised as a sport (for example bull-fighting, cock-fighting) ever spoken formally against it?

There was a papal bull of Pius V issued in 1567. It was diluted by subsequent popes. Part of it reads as follows:

“Therefore, considering such spectacles which are removed from Christian piety and charity, in which bulls and wild animals are challenged in circuses and plazas, and desiring to abolish such cruel and base spectacles of the devil and not of man, and to take measures for the salvation of souls as far as we are able with the power of God – to each and every Christian prince, in any kingdom or enjoying any high position, whether ecclesiastical, civil or imperial, proclaimed by any name by any community or republic in perpetuity, by means of our constitution valid for the future, on pain of ipso facto excommunication and anathema, we interdict and prohibit the carrying out of spectacles of this nature in their provinces, cities, lands, castles and places where spectacles of this kind are realized, where bullfights and similar sports with other wild animals are permitted. We forbid military personnel and other persons from daring to join such spectacles, whether on foot or on horseback, to confront bulls or other animals.”

 

[pgnat1]

peta.org/features/pope-benedict-xvi.aspx

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

peta.org/features/pope-benedict-xvi.aspx

I don’t support groups such as PETA quoting the Popes and what have you as support for them, as the Church’s teachings on animals is not in line with what PETA advocates and they twist and pervert what the popes say to suit their agenda. They also engage in immodest and immoral acts to get their messages across (ie: stripping and going nude to promote their stance against fur use. They do it because it’s controversial, grabs headlines, and is free advertising for them.

For example:

Pope John Paul II: ‘Animals Possess a Soul’

Compassion for animals was also a prominent theme in the late John Paul II’s papacy. Pope John Paul II proclaimed that “the animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren.” He went on to say that all animals are “fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect” and that they are “as near to God as men are.” Insofar as being created by Him and what we understand our relationship is to these things.

Pope John Paul II reminded people that all living beings, including animals, came into being because of the “breath” of God. Animals possess the divine spark of life—the living quality that is the soul—and they are not inferior beings, as factory farmers, fur farmers, and others who exploit animals for profit would have us believe. Animals have a mortal soul whereas humans have an immortal soul. Animals are inferior to man, as God gave us dominion over the animals to use to our benefit, including eating them. Humans can go to Heaven, animals can’t. After he became Pope John Paul II, His Holiness went to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, and spoke of the saint’s love for animals. He declared, "We, too, are called to a similar attitude. Note, he doesn’t say anything about not being allowed to kill and eat them.

Catholics can honor the teachings of Pope John Paul II and the sentiments of Pope Benedict XVI by incorporating compassion for animals more fully into their own lives. Unless Catholics are causing undue and unnecessary pain to animals, they are honoring the teachings of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

PETA is all about animal “rights” whereas Catholics don’t believe animals have rights or are on par with humans.

I find it ironic there are people who are connected with PETA who are pro-choice.

All this talk about PETA is making me crave a steak.

 

[Nabooru]

Animals have immortal souls. I know this because I saw my dog after she died.

 

[severus68]

I don’t support groups such as PETA quoting the Popes and what have you as support for them, as the Church’s teachings on animals is not in line with what PETA advocates and they twist and pervert what the popes say to suit their agenda. They also engage in immodest and immoral acts to get their messages across (ie: stripping and going nude to promote their stance against fur use. They do it because it’s controversial, grabs headlines, and is free advertising for them.

For example:

PETA is all about animal “rights” whereas Catholics don’t believe animals have rights or are on par with humans.

I find it ironic there are people who are connected with PETA who are pro-choice.

All this talk about PETA is making me crave a steak.

While I have found much about what PETA does not to my liking, not all they say is wrong. I know our Pope did say that we should not treat animals as mere commodities.

While St Thomas Aquinas did say animals have mortal souls, the Church has no position as to whether or not animals go to heaven. There are parts of the Bible which indicate that they do. I for one choose to believe they do, perhaps not all with us.

God made us good stewards of the rest of His creation. I am a Catholic and I believe animals have rights. I choose not to eat them, there are even priests who have chosen the same. What humans have comes from God who also loves His other creatures.

Your post has nothing to do with the OP’s query BTW.

 

[JaKael02]

While I have found much about what PETA does not to my liking, not all they say is wrong. I know our Pope did say that we should not treat animals as mere commodities.

While St Thomas Aquinas did say animals have mortal souls, the Church has no position as to whether or not animals go to heaven. There are parts of the Bible which indicate that they do. I for one choose to believe they do, perhaps not all with us.

God made us good stewards of the rest of His creation. I am a Catholic and I believe animals have rights. I choose not to eat them, there are even priests who have chosen the same. What humans have comes from God who also loves His other creatures.

Your post has nothing to do with the OP’s query BTW.

PETA has noble goals, which is to eliminate animal suffering. This agreeds with Catholic teaching.

The area where CC & PETA disagree is on the issue of whether or not animals have rights.

If an Animal has rights? Who gave them those rights? How far do those rights extend?

I personally support PETA & am Vegetarian, but do not support their notion that animals have rights.

Maybe we can learn something from one another. Thank you! James

 

[tabycat]

I’m against cruelty to animals (and humans), but when somebady asks me if I belong to PETA I say that I belong to PETA 2 (People Eating Tasty Animals).

 

[Hokomai]

Thanks for the references which I am now reading. So far though, no one has cited a bishop exercising leadership in line with Church teaching. Is there an example?

 

[Hokomai]

Have the bishops of any country in which animal cruelty is practised as a sport (for example bull-fighting, cock-fighting) ever spoken formally against it?

I guess the answer must be no. I wonder why?

 

[thistle]

Animals have immortal souls. I know this because I saw my dog after she died.

Animals do NOT have immortal souls. If you are Catholic then you would know that the Church teaches that only humans have a supernatural end.

 

[severus68]

PETA has noble goals, which is to eliminate animal suffering. This agreeds with Catholic teaching.

The area where CC & PETA disagree is on the issue of whether or not animals have rights.

If an Animal has rights? Who gave them those rights? How far do those rights extend?

I personally support PETA & am Vegetarian, but do not support their notion that animals have rights.

Maybe we can learn something from one another. Thank you! James

I am vegetarian, support any group that wants animals have a decent life. I believe animals have the rights God gave them, to have space to move in, light, to fly if with wings, to not be abused etc. I do not think animals would want to be human if they could tell us. As we are the ones made in God’s image with superior intelegence, I believe I am obliged to treat them well and fight against cruelty as I would against cruelty to other innocents like children.

Thank you James for your charitable response and yes perhaps we can learn from one another.

Thank you James

 

[severus68]

Animals do NOT have immortal souls. If you are Catholic then you would know that the Church teaches that only humans have a supernatural end.

The Church does not have a position as to whether animals go to heaven.

 

[codefro]

So this pretty much rules out bullfighting?

 

[pgnat1]

I don’t support groups such as PETA quoting the Popes and what have you as support for them, as the Church’s teachings on animals is not in line with what PETA advocates and they twist and pervert what the popes say to suit their agenda. They also engage in immodest and immoral acts to get their messages across (ie: stripping and going nude to promote their stance against fur use. They do it because it’s controversial, grabs headlines, and is free advertising for them.

For example:

PETA is all about animal “rights” whereas Catholics don’t believe animals have rights or are on par with humans.

I find it ironic there are people who are connected with PETA who are pro-choice.

All this talk about PETA is making me crave a steak.

Exactly my point. I posted that quickly yesterday and could not provide my explanation for posting it. They do twist the Church’s teachings.

 

[Nabooru]

Animals do NOT have immortal souls. If you are Catholic then you would know that the Church teaches that only humans have a

If I see with my own eyes what is true, then no authority can deny it.

 

[thistle]

The Church does not have a position as to whether animals go to heaven.

The Church teaches only humans have a supernatural end. That means animals do NOT have a supernatural end.
That also means when your pet dog dies it does NOT go to Heaven or Hell because it does NOT have an immortal soul. It simply ceases to exist.

Bear in mind this is a completely separate issue as to whether at the end of time in Heaven there will be animals. Who knows? Only God.

 

[thistle]

thistle;9520747:

Animals do NOT have immortal souls. If you are Catholic then you would know that the Church teaches that only humans have a

If I see with my own eyes what is true, then no authority can deny it.

You were just dreaming or imagining!! You did not see your dead dog!

 

[Nabooru]

Can you show us where or when the church says this? It’s part of Thomist philosophy but that doesn’t mean it’s doctrine.

You seem genuinely offended and upset that people could think animals could have immortal souls. Do you hate animals, or are you afraid that believing in animal souls will send a person to hell?

Again, I cannot deny what I see with my own eyes. If the Church told me there was no such thing as the color yellow, and I’m looking at mustard, who should I believe?

 

[Nabooru]

Nabooru;9522325:

You were just dreaming or imagining!! You did not see your dead dog!

How easy for you to say. Did it occur to you that I was there? Are you afraid of animal souls?

I was sitting on the couch reading, with the TV on. I had a cup of coffee on the table next to me. I set my book down and reached for the coffee, and saw my dog laying on the opposite couch, just looking at me. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, until the coffee hit my mouth, and then I spilled some of it setting it back down, remembering that my dog has been dead for three days. I looked again and she was still there, and then when I stood up in shock, she quickly disappeared.

Say what you want. I was there, awake, sane, and lucid. If the idea of animals living an eternal life scares you, I’m afraid I can’t help you. I know what I saw, and if you find it offensive, I can’t say I’m sorry, but I do feel some level of pity.