Priest's dog in church during Mass

[SgtSchultz]

I once visited a small monastery in the States. (I can’t remember if it was Franciscan or Augustinian or Benedictine or what – they were cloistered and you could only speak to the two brothers behind a gate.) This modest little place could only hold about 10 people in the chapel. The Monseigneur was blind, but he had two dogs with him behind the gate while he celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass. One of the dogs was most certainly not a seeing eye dog, as it was a pug. This place was as orthodox as can be. I don’t think anyone had any problems with these dogs – the only creatures other than the two brothers, the sole occupants of the monastery, lived with. I think their presence added to the simplicity and modesty of the place. It was so humble and personal being there.

I hear dogs taste like chicken.

They do, but are a little more tough. Cheers, Korea!

 

[Allegra]

I once visited a small monastery in the States. (I can’t remember if it was Franciscan or Augustinian or Benedictine or what – they were cloistered and you could only speak to the two brothers behind a gate.) This modest little place could only hold about 10 people in the chapel. The Monseigneur was blind, but he had two dogs with him behind the gate while he celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass. One of the dogs was most certainly not a seeing eye dog, as it was a pug. This place was as orthodox as can be. I don’t think anyone had any problems with these dogs – the only creatures other than the two brothers, the sole occupants of the monastery, lived with. I think their presence added to the simplicity and modesty of the place. It was so humble and personal being there.

They do, but are a little more tough. Cheers, Korea!

A pug? Well that’s different then…

 

[mary_bobo]

yup. our former priest brought his dog to Mass. It sat at the bottom of the step just outside of the Sanctuary. Once in a while he whined or stretched or some other doggie thing.

In fact the priest never ever went anywhere without the dog. He claimed the pooch was with him 24/7.

even a dog lover would have to admit that’s weird.

But I live in a small town … they send us all the weird ones.

That is not really so weird. I know a priest who is a dog show judge. He grew up in the family where his parents showed dogs and he has great affection for them. He has one that lives in the rectory with him. God has given us these wonderful creatures to love and for companionship.

 

[robwar]

I think that it’s in poor taste to have a dog in Mass, unless it is a service dog. I think it directs attention away from the Mass, particularly that of the children. It could also aggravate the allergies of a parishoner and if it is large enough, it could frighten some people. Leave the dog at home, I say, if there’s no good reason to bring it!

some of the perfume people wear can aggravate allergies more than what a service dog would do. The service dogs I have seen in church that enable those how need them to publicly attend mass are very well behaved. They are not a distraction to children and the dog that help this totally blind man went to the 10AM children’s mass! To think that a service dog should not come to church because it might aggravate some one with a dog allergies is just ridiculous. In a large open air room such as a church is highly unlikely and if someone is that allergic to dogs, I am sure they wouldn’t be sitting next to a service animal.

 

[SMHW]

some of the perfume people wear can aggravate allergies more than what a service dog would do. The service dogs I have seen in church that enable those how need them to publicly attend mass are very well behaved. They are not a distraction to children and the dog that help this totally blind man went to the 10AM children’s mass! To think that a service dog should not come to church because it might aggravate some one with a dog allergies is just ridiculous. In a large open air room such as a church is highly unlikely and if someone is that allergic to dogs, I am sure they wouldn’t be sitting next to a service animal.

I think the previous poster was saying that dogs OTHER THAN service dogs should not be taken to Mass. She specifically said service dogs should be allowed.

When she was taking about dogs being distractions and allergy causes she was back to talking about ordinary pets.

 

[robwar]

I think the previous poster was saying that dogs OTHER THAN service dogs should not be taken to Mass. She specifically said service dogs should be allowed.

When she was taking about dogs being distractions and allergy causes she was back to talking about ordinary pets.

I understand but I don’t at all see people trying to bring their pets to church. The original post was a comment about someone’s daughter attending a mass where the priest had a dog by him. Again we really don’t know the reason. Any dog I’ve seen at mass has always been a service dog, usually for the blind but someone posted they have a dog because they are deaf plus there are dogs used by those that have seizures because a dog can be trained to sense an oncoming seizures and alert the owner. The comment about allergies and animals should not be brought to church due to allergies is inaccurate because the church is a large open are room and allergens are easily dispersed in large rooms. Anyone that I’ve known that has had a pet type allergy usually reacts to going into smaller enclosed homes and rooms. There are many airborne allergies and someone would more likely react to someone’s perfume than a dog or cat. Even those with severe airborne peanut allergies are safer in large open air rooms such as church and of course no one should be eating in church. Even if it is remotely realistic that someone has a allergy to a dog, they would react whether it was a service animal or a pet and I doubt that they would go ahead a sit by someone with a dog if allergic to them. The examples outside of service animals given here have been animals associated with the priests. Again there is not enough info given to know the reason why. There is not a wide spread practice or attempt by the congregation in bringing pets to church.

 

[SMHW]

The examples outside of service animals given here have been animals associated with the priests. Again there is not enough info given to know the reason why. There is not a wide spread practice or attempt by the congregation in bringing pets to church.

I believe your last sentence is correct. And that’s why I don’t get terribly concerned about dogs at Mass. I obviously have not been concerned about the guide puppies in training that I have seen at Mass. The few questionable dogs I have seen with parishioners were well behaved so I chose to view them as *unofficial *service dogs for anxious owners.

The concern here seems to be largely about *priests *allowing *pet *dogs (and cats) to freely roam the church building during Mass.

Service animals usually wear a vest or harness. The harness often puts the animal in a frame of mind to work and is the symbol to humans that this dog is working and should not be disturbed without the permission of the owner. (A former co-worker who back in the 1980s brought her hearing dog to work told me that the usual color for service animals is yellow or gold. Maybe that was just for hearing dogs?) I could see that a priest might not always bother to harness his service dog while the dog is “home” if the dog is willing to work without the harness. So that could explain why* some *dogs are at Mass.

I’ve not seen anyone in this thread suggest that service animals don’t belong at Mass. (Not so for a thread I’d seen a few years ago. A few people in that thread thought not even service animals should be allowed!)

 

[reagent6]

I post without comment this entry from the ‘History of the Parish’ section of the webpage of a parish I used to attend, though not dusring the timeframe described here

In 1994 a new member of the staff came on board, Peaches, a four year old Golden Retriever. Peaches was not a boisterous or loquacious individual, but she did her share of evangelizing. As she laid before the altar, surveying everyone present, or went down the aisle at the sign of peace, she was regal. Children came to church to see Peaches. In fact there was more than one adult who came because “if a dog is allowed in church, I guess they will also accept me.” She died in March, 2000, but the brick memorials in her memory and the innumerable questions “Where’s Peaches” attest to the beauty to be found in all of God’s creatures.

 

[ilySHJ]

The comment about allergies and animals should not be brought to church due to allergies is inaccurate because the church is a large open are room and allergens are easily dispersed in large rooms. Anyone that I’ve known that has had a pet type allergy usually reacts to going into smaller enclosed homes and rooms.

Our church is small - 20x40 feet. The carpet where the dog sat was laden with dander despite efforts at cleaning. The next priest had to replace it as he was allergic to dogs.

Having severe fur allergies myself, it’s not usually the presence of an animal, but rather the accumulation of animal dander. The animal can be long gone. Size of the room doesn’t matter as long as there’s something to hold the allergens such as carpet or upholstery.

“Severe” means the allergic reaction begins with an asthmatic bronchial swelling or difficulty breathing. I’m not talking about itchy eyes and sneezing.

Allergies aside, I’ve known more than one adult who was unreasonably terrified of dogs. Why should they have to face the priest’s German shepherd at Mass.

It wasn’t a service dog. Service dogs that I’ve met are extremely well-behaved.

There’s no other church within hours of here. Why should our priest have been so inconsiderate of others. In this rural area he could’ve easily fixed a place outside for that one hour. He wouldn’t be separated from the dog.

Isn’t a priest off-track to put his need for canine companionship above all else.

 

[robwar]

Our church is small - 20x40 feet. The carpet where the dog sat was laden with dander despite efforts at cleaning. The next priest had to replace it as he was allergic to dogs.

Having severe fur allergies myself, it’s not usually the presence of an animal, but rather the accumulation of animal dander. The animal can be long gone. Size of the room doesn’t matter as long as there’s something to hold the allergens such as carpet or upholstery.

“Severe” means the allergic reaction begins with an asthmatic bronchial swelling or difficulty breathing. I’m not talking about itchy eyes and sneezing.

Allergies aside, I’ve known more than one adult who was unreasonably terrified of dogs. Why should they have to face the priest’s German shepherd at Mass.

It wasn’t a service dog. Service dogs that I’ve met are extremely well-behaved.

There’s no other church within hours of here. Why should our priest have been so inconsiderate of others. In this rural area he could’ve easily fixed a place outside for that one hour. He wouldn’t be separated from the dog.

Isn’t a priest off-track to put his need for canine companionship above all else.

I am truly sorry about your situation. I am wondering if you ever spoke to the priest about this and the fact that when his dog is allowed to hang out in the church and the fur of the dog becoming embedded in the carpet making it difficult for you and others in your situation to attend mass. Since it sounds like a small church and parish and the dog is following the priest around all day, it might be difficult to keep the dog out of the church proper. I am sure that even if there was extra cleaning done, that that would not remove the allergens sufficiently enough in a small church with a carpet or even removing the carpet in general.

 

[robwar]

I believe your last sentence is correct. And that’s why I don’t get terribly concerned about dogs at Mass. I obviously have not been concerned about the guide puppies in training that I have seen at Mass. The few questionable dogs I have seen with parishioners were well behaved so I chose to view them as *unofficial *service dogs for anxious owners.

The concern here seems to be largely about *priests *allowing *pet *dogs (and cats) to freely roam the church building during Mass.

Service animals usually wear a vest or harness. The harness often puts the animal in a frame of mind to work and is the symbol to humans that this dog is working and should not be disturbed without the permission of the owner. (A former co-worker who back in the 1980s brought her hearing dog to work told me that the usual color for service animals is yellow or gold. Maybe that was just for hearing dogs?) I could see that a priest might not always bother to harness his service dog while the dog is “home” if the dog is willing to work without the harness. So that could explain why* some *dogs are at Mass.

I’ve not seen anyone in this thread suggest that service animals don’t belong at Mass. (Not so for a thread I’d seen a few years ago. A few people in that thread thought not even service animals should be allowed!)

I understand. I’ve seen priests use their dogs as constant companions. One former priest use to put dog updates in the church bulletin and when he left, at the school farewell, the kids sang a goodbye song to the dog. For me, that was all a bit much. Again though, I understand that priests are also on the constant go and to have a pet such as a dog, it probably would not do well locked up in the home all day (and night). Plus dogs do give companionship to those that don’t have immediate families (such as priests). My current priest has a small dog that he does take around with him, even to parish meetings but not mass! I think there isn’t enough info here on some of the situations to make a call either way.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I learned that in the Orthodox Church, if a dog enters the Sanctuary it would need to be reconsecrated again.

 

[crenfro]

Lovely!

I have it on good authority there is a German Shepherd at Mass in the Vatican almost every Sunday?

 

[roveau]

When you see some of the ancient paintings of people wandering about in cathedrals, some have their dogs with them. A pro-Western Muslim of the 1500s or 1600s was absolutely appalled at seeing dogs in churches with their owners in Europe and said it was common practice (many Muslims regard dogs as unclean).

In some of the traditional horse race festivals in Italy they allow the horses to process inside the church/cathedral for special blessings.

And you know what parishioners bring to church when they have a ‘Blessing of the Animals’ service.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

IMHO - no matter how well behaved the dog is = inappropriate.

Agreed. It was so inappropriate of Our Lord to spend his first days on Earth in a manger with animals. I think that you should tell him so!

 

[ConstantineTG]

Agreed. It was so inappropriate of Our Lord to spend his first days on Earth in a manger with animals. I think that you should tell him so!

Right, we should then start converting our Sanctuaries into barns and zoos.

 

[aloe]

I think that is wonderful!!:harp:

 

[TEPO]

I never tried to upload a photo but I’m going to try. My niece went to a baptism in Ohio at a Catholic Mass and the priest had his dog in church during Mass.

She said the priest was, well, very laid back.

Well, I don’t know how to do it. But trust me, there’s a dog in church during Mass.

Love it! I hope that the parishioners were able to pet the dog.

 

[keepingfaith4]

did the dog attend ccd too–so he/she can understand the mass----carry the missal----dog slobber on it–eeewwww

 

[universityprof]

I don’t see a problem with this (priest’s dog in mass). I’ve experienced the same situation in a parish in Kansas. No one thought anything about it.