In a time when it's sometimes been difficult, I am proud to be Catholic right now.

Posted by: Susannah S | September 4, 2007 05:12 PM

pope benedict deserves a lot of sympathy! he truly loves the whole creation! when i heard him in an interview he said that people reproached him to be a watchdog and he answered with a smile: 'a watchdog is something so nice, isn't it!' so we can just hope that the christian world shall finally start to include also the non-human creatures in their prayers - this is what i'm praying for!!!

Posted by: shadowfax | September 4, 2007 05:31 PM

Susannah S

Please take a look at Catholic Concern For Animals

www.catholic-animals.org

thanks!!

I would love to hear the Pope speak about treating animals with compassion and to give examples of how to do so. Let's start with fur, leather, farmed factories and bullfighting. I detest seeing fur in churches; I would like to witness a priest develop the moral fiber that would enable him to speak out against wearing fur, most especially in church. Praying for mercy while showing none to animals is hypocrisy.

Posted by: Ana | September 4, 2007 06:00 PM

This pope really loves creation and creatures and thinks and speaks well on the issues. He is a force and his voice needs to be heard!

Posted by: Mark | September 4, 2007 11:02 PM

i dont understand why people like animals. im not trying to be an ass, (no pun intended towards donkeys), but i really just dont see what the purpose of animals is, if not to eat

Posted by: barbara | September 5, 2007 01:08 AM

I would LOVE to copy that and put it in our church bulletin...however, I don't think it would get approved...

Still, I am too proud to be a Catholic because of the Holy Father's stand on animals.

Posted by: Tamara | September 5, 2007 02:42 AM

Another thought, I get so aggravated at my church when they preach "pro life" and march against abortion...

One of these days...

I'm gonna ask them why they don't include animals in their "pro-life" stance. After all, look what the Pope said...

I have a t-shirt that says "Extend the Circle of Compassion to include Animals, they just want to live free from suffering"

That's all it comes down to...

Posted by: Tamara | September 5, 2007 02:56 AM

The Pope as a relgious and Spiritual head of over one billion catholic souls ought to give a no holds barred edict,that it is a Sin for Christians to abuse animals.Indeed,the Dalai Lama,said to the Buddhists in Tibet to shun and reject Fur clothes,which the Chinese Communist governemnt is encouraging,every one to wear,and all Monks and devout Buddhists followed the leadership directive and got rid of the sinfull garments.Hence,the Pope should speak out against,factory farming,fur clothes,fois gras and all,which are prevalent in Catholic countries.Indeed,PETA should hold activists dressed as Jesus Christ and the Apostles ,in St.Marks Square or in Rome,holding placards" Benedict or Pope" turn and you will be healed and the catholic church will be purified and sanctfied"Turn meaning ,go Veggie.regards and best wishes,ravi

Posted by: Ravi Pandya | September 5, 2007 04:09 AM

Is the Pope actually vegetarian? This looks more like a statement against factory farming than a statement for going vegetarian. Not the same thing.

Posted by: kar_kar | September 5, 2007 08:14 AM

If the Catholic church extended Christian compassion to animals...

they would be welcoming a LOT of new and returning members to the Church.

And that would be a good thing!

Posted by: kelly | September 5, 2007 11:50 AM

Ravi

As a devout Catholic I find your idea revolting. The best steps to take is to engage in dialogue with the Pope, bishops, and local parish priests. That is what Catholic Concern For Animals is doing. No one should be dressed as Jesus (or the Apostles), quoting Him is sufficient. Jesus also did not leave any directions on how to kill animals for food like the Jews and Muslims have (kosher and halal). Jesus preached,lived, and taught love and peace. Slaughtering animals does not fit in with His Teachings.

Tamara

I agree with you about the church's pro-life stance and the marches against abortion. I have never gone on one because I think they are hypocritical. The animals already alive deserve to go on living in peace; to fight for the unborn and not recognize this makes no sense to me. I saw a woman's style t-shirt that I want to purchase that says "Pro-life? Go Vegan!".

Posted by: Ana | September 5, 2007 02:00 PM

You know, as a Christian, I've always felt the need to care about the environment and care about animals. I thought it was disrespectful not to.

But I was wondering, is Pope Benedict XVI actually vegetarian/vegan or just supporting it and other humane causes? Yay for him if he is, I just didn't know...

Posted by: Jessica | September 5, 2007 03:53 PM

I asked and recieved the pamplets that PETA has that is called, "Why Christians should be vegetarians."
I have been a veggie person for many years.
My daughter is a Christian and I asked her if she would please put the pamplets on the information table at her Church.
When she asked the powers that be if she could do this they told her a flat out NO.
Well, they lost her that very day.
She did go to a much smaller church and they told her that would be great.
After all, do they not remember St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of all animals?
That really caused my daughter to rethink her religion.
She has now started to read and study my books on Buddhism, which thrills me.
But she still goes to the little church that said YES.
Please ask PETA to send this most wonderful information to you, it is truly a wonderful read.
Judith

Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter | September 5, 2007 04:35 PM

The POPE is not the best person to judge the Earths future. He considers homosexuality as terrorist.

Posted by: superdave | September 5, 2007 10:16 PM

To Barbara:
If you don't like animals it's probably because you don't know much about them. To know them is to love them! Antone with a dog or cat knows this. They have many of the positive human attributes, like love, loyalty, being amusing, etc. without the negative ones, like cruelty, deceptiveness, manipulation, etc. They are always happy to see you and never complain.
As to their purpose, what is the purpose of humans?

Posted by: Patricia Panitz | September 6, 2007 12:34 AM

Please do not get your hopes up with this pope. In an interview he showed actual concern with factory-farming horrors and then proceeded to giggle when the subject of not eating animals at all was raised, "of course were are permitted to eat them" but do it respectably was his tone. This pope is NOT about making any real changes but only preserving "tradition".

Posted by: Gerry Ardigliano | September 6, 2007 11:36 AM

Gerry A

I agree with you regarding the Pope's desire for tradition. The Catholic Catechism is an abomination in its directives regarding acceptable human behavior to the other animals. The late and present Popes are responsible for the creation of this horrible Catechism. Vivisection, eating non-human animals, even wearing animal skins is acceptable. What is NOT acceptable is loving them, and certainly not loving them more than humans, and giving money to animals causes(organizations, shelters) . Monetary donations should only be made for the benefit of humans. I totally disagree with the Catechism and it has been discussed by members of Catholic concern for Animals. I don't put much credence into man-made religious objectives. I go along with Jesus's words: Love and Peace....Love and Peace for all (sentient beings). Realistically, most Catholics do not live by the words of the Pope or of the Catechism so there is hope. Perhaps Catholic animal advocates can make the necessary changes in the Faith regarding our behavior towards all animals; the Pope will have to heed "his flock".

Posted by: Ana | September 6, 2007 01:27 PM

Gerry Ardigliano .. wonderfully put '' I was about to post a comment upon the lines you have written..''

Posted by: keith | September 6, 2007 02:38 PM

How wonderful! Is the pope a vegetarian?
PS-To "Mark"-If animals have no purpose to humans and we don't even need them except for meat, fur, ect., then why doesn't it matter what value humans are to animals? Jeez, humans are the ones that KILL and TORTURE animals! Humans are one species. Animals are everyone else, is a humans opinion worth a million compared to, say, a pigs? I don't think a pig would love humans all that much when we're murdering them.

Posted by: Luna | September 7, 2007 06:42 PM

If one of the Ten Commends says "thou shall not kill", then why do catholics and the pope eat meat which is the same as killing animals as one is supporting it.

Posted by: Maggie S. | June 18, 2008 09:11 PM

dear sir,

i love the picture of the pope you published concerning the animals.

i would really be grateful if you would all me to print picture in the local newspaper.
I TOO AM A VEGETARIAN AND I WILL FEEL HONOURED TO BE A PART OF YOUR ESTEEMED ORGANIZATION.

PLEASE PRMIT ME IT WILL NOT BE FOR MONEY MAKING. STRICTLY SELF SATISFACTION.

THANKS & REGARDS.

JOHN

Posted by: John | July 22, 2008 12:53 AM