Submitted by Jan Fredericks, Feb 15, 2008 08:45

As a pro-lifer (not just for the un-born, but for all life), I would love to hear Pope Benedict XVI speak out for the billions of God's creatures who suffer in factory farms, steel leg-hold traps, circuses, bull fighting, cock-fighting, the slaughter of the baby seals in Canada, the Fiestas in 'Catholic countries' where animals are tortured in countries such as Mexico (they just had the 'rafting of the bulls', long distance animal transport, puppy mills, rodeos, etc. Millions of Americans are waiting for a strong message against these horrible cruelty done and accepted as tradition and culture. God's laws are highter than man's laws, and we can not serve God and money (as Scripture says). God chose people who were kind to animals. Many Saints were vegetarian, yet we support factory farming and the cruel 'farming' techniques of taking a calf away from their mothers so we can have their milk and eat their calf as veal. Satan comes to steel, kill and destroy as said in John 10:10, but Jesus comes to give life.

Animals belong to God - they do not belong to us to abuse. God put them in our care to protect, yet very little has been said from the Church to protect them. We need strong, fearless on-going statements to condemn animal cruelty in all countries. It is un-Christian to accept and to stand by and say or do nothing.

The sex-abuse scandal was brought into the light by faithful laity and the Church responded.

Now, it's time for the Church to be cruelty-free and allow God's animals to live as they were created to live according to God's laws in the OT- stress free- to praise their Creator. Jesus fulfilled the law and as His followers, we should be kind and respect God's animals.

"LET everything that has breath praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6

"God is good to all and has compassion on ALL He has made." Ps. 145:9

1 Cor. 8:13; Hebrews 4:13

Jan Fredericks, LPC, MA

Chair, Catholic Concern for Animals-USA

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