Priests having pets

[purplesunshine]

There is a priest in my diocese who is followed everywhere (including church/sanctuary) by what appears to me to be an unattractive mutt. I learned later that despite appearances, this is a service dog who can detect an epileptic seizure coming on. I would never have guessed, I always expect service dogs to be big and to wear a hand harness. not so!

Out “in public” they do need to wear identifycation. Hand harnesses are only for seeing-eye dogs and large dogs are only for those who are blind/have balance issues. Hearing-ear dogs are typically medium sized. Seizure alert dogs are often small, unless the person has a type of seisure in which the dog must aid the person in some way besides alerting them.

 

[barb_finnegan]

We’re pretty cool about animals.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

You certainly are!

 

[mdstanzel]

secular priests do not take a vow of poverty and may own whatever they need for a comfortable life, including pets, car etc.

an order priest may keep a pet is his living situation permits but if his order forbids private ownership of property, the pet would belong to the order.

I don’t know but I gotta believe Franciscans and pets go together.

I think that Franciscans should be required to run the animal shelters. Kill 2 birds with one stone…or Frair..

 

[JReducation]

I had dinner with our parish priests and retired bishop a while ago, and this topic came up. Bishop emeritus said “I wanted to write a law that says ‘you may have a dog, or an assistant.’”
One of the retired priests muttered without a thought, “I’d take the dog.”

Having been stationed in two parishes during my religious life, I can understand this response.

secular priests do not take a vow of poverty and may own whatever they need for a comfortable life, including pets, car etc.

an order priest may keep a pet is his living situation permits but if his order forbids private ownership of property, the pet would belong to the order.

I don’t know but I gotta believe Franciscans and pets go together.

Almost every friary I know has some kind of animal, even if it’s a fish tank.

I think that Franciscans should be required to run the animal shelters. Kill 2 birds with one stone…or Frair..

Wait a minute . . . you want Franciscans to kill two birds?

In the town where I’m assigned, the Secular Franciscans (SFO) have an animal hospital called St. Francis Animal Hospital. It’s the best animal hospital in town.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[dachsiemom2]

Each of the three priests in my parrish has a dog. Priests are human, too, and can reap the emotional benefits of caring for another, non-human, living being. Tending a Catholic flock is tremendously difficult, more than you and I will probably ever know, and priests deserve animal comanionship if they want it.

ditto!!!

 

[ForGood]

Having been stationed in two parishes during my religious life, I can understand this response.

Almost every friary I know has some kind of animal, even if it’s a fish tank.

ha ha ha ha
Wait a minute . . . you want Franciscans to kill two birds?

In the town where I’m assigned, the Secular Franciscans (SFO) have an animal hospital called St. Francis Animal Hospital. It’s the best animal hospital in town.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Junebug999]

ahhhhh what wonderful posts – our parish priest has a black lab, and I love having the dog around. I first met Bosco (named for the Saint, NOT the chocolate drink) when I was in RCIA. Father and Bosco would be out for evening walk (or run – Father is a good example of a healthy lifestyle since he regularly exercises) and would come by the RCIA class in the parish classroom area and spend a few minutes or answer any questions on the way back to the rectory. Bosco is well behaved and walks around the tables and it’s relaxing to have him around. Oh…and Bosco used to have a white collar! hahaha He has also walked with Father when Father participates in Walk for Life marches, etc. There is a parish school there and everyone just is used to having Bosco around. Our priest would never ever have him in the sanctuary though during Mass though. Once our RCIA class was in the church building and Father came by because he needed to say something to us…he came and stood just inside the door and Bosco was on a leash…oh and another thing is that dog MINDS his master…he is very well trained. It looks to me as if Bosco is a pet that helps Father relax. The life of a parish pastor is very busy, very hectic, looks very stressful. So many demands, so little time, so few people to help…I’m very glad he has a pet. It’s very healthy, very good for him. I just wish everyone were as loyal and helpful and supportive as the dog…haha!

 

[debraran]

Amen to that. Not everyone is a pet person but I feel some of the lonliness would ebb with such a good friend waitng for you and loving you just the way you were.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Amen to that. Not everyone is a pet person but** I feel some of the lonliness would ebb with such a good friend waitng for you and loving you just the way you were.**

That is true. It is probably a lot better to have a dog than a nagging old wife (sorry, I should not have said that)!

 

[JReducation]

For diocesan priests, the pet question is a practical one. It’s not your house. It belongs to the parish. You can’t allow a pet to destroy it and you have to make sure that others want to share it with a pet. A rectory is like a frat house. Sometimes, these men are not even friends. They live very independent lives and they may not share the same love for the dog or cat.

In a religious house, the matter is a little different. It is your house, because the community owns it and you’re part of the community. Therefore, you have what I call “corporate rights”. However, because it is a corporate house, you also have to be attentive to the feelings and health requirements of others.

There is another glitch for religious. You can be transfered from Toledo, OH to Hong Kong on a moment’s notice. You have to make sure that the pet is going to be cared for. You can’t bring a pet into a house where no wants to care for it, but you. What happens when you have to leave for Hong Kong?

I lived in a house in a US city. We had a beautiful dog. There were two of us. We loved the dog. However, one day the superior stopped by and handed us each an envelope. I was being shipped to the Amazon and the other brother was being shipped to New Guinea. We had 30 days to get there.

Two brothers were coming in to take over the house and ministry. Well, lo and behold, one of the brothers coming in was asthmatic. We had 30 days to get everything ready to go and that included finding another home for the dog. Thirty days is not a long time when you have to get visas and passports ready, close off your account books, because you have to leave everything clear for the person coming in, call mom and tell her that you won’t be home on vacation for 10 years, because you’re going to the other side of the world and when everyone wants to say goodbye. This poor animal needs a new home. It’s not the superior’s problem to rehome the dog. The dog is not included in the assignment roster.

I now live with two cats and I worry about them too.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

In this diocese we’re lucky we have ONE priest to each rectory!! I agree that you must respect the property of the parish you are in. I am sure that there are some bishops that do not allow pets of any kind. I am sure it would help if your superior or bishop loved animals. Priests here are moved every 5 to 7 years. So it is not like you have to ship out half way around the world (one reason I like diocesan priesthood) you just have to move wirthin the diocese.
If I ever get to the point of priesthood I hope I can have a cat as I LOVE cats!! Horses and cats are the most awesome animals God gave us. Dogs are cool too. Just would be easier to take care of a cat. I would like to have a Burmese!!! Scoob,.

 

[JReducation]

In this diocese we’re lucky we have ONE priest to each rectory!! I agree that you must respect the property of the parish you are in. I am sure that there are some bishops that do not allow pets of any kind. I am sure it would help if your superior or bishop loved animals. Priests here are moved every 5 to 7 years. So it is not like you have to ship out half way around the world (one reason I like diocesan priesthood) you just have to move wirthin the diocese.
If I ever get to the point of priesthood I hope I can have a cat as I LOVE cats!! Horses and cats are the most awesome animals God gave us. Dogs are cool too. Just would be easier to take care of a cat. I would like to have a Burmese!!! Scoob,.

We’re in a different situation here. Our parishes have two to five priests. They have to be very careful. The good thing is that out of 111 parishes, only two or three are adminstered by religious. The religious here were mostly Franciscans and Dominicans. Both orders were mandated to return to their roots. So they turned in their parishes. Some were closed and others were staffed by secular priests. The Dominicans took over teaching and preaching. Franciscans took over Respect Life, street preaching, immigrant shelters and the Catholic hospitals. Then we have parishes that are staffed by teams of religious and secular priests and they share the same house. The secular priests try to stay out of the way of the community’s space and schedule, especially when they live with religious who are not priests.

When you have those kinds of blends, pets can be a challenge. The house belongs to the parish, but the religious have control of it, because they have to live conventual life; yet the secular priests need to live there too.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Bosco is a saintly drink! I learn something here every day.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

Bosco is a saintly drink! I learn something here every day.

Yes!!! Bosco is the bomb when it comes to chololate milk!!