He Was Previously The Vicar Of Brighton
Dominic Walker was previous to his present post as
bishop of Monmouth, the outspoken and compassionate vicar of Brighton;
and of more relevance to us he was a militant leader against the live
exports from Brightling sea. Indeed, the above is a past photo of him
leading a protest march in 1995 with other local clergy as well as
influential civic dignitaries. We congratulate him on being the new
president of ASWA – the Anglican Society For The Welfare Of Animals –
which has lost a former stuffiness and is going places. Indeed, as one
reflects back over the years, I cannot help but feel that if the more
militant branches of animal rights had involved or encouraged
sympathetic clergy to their rallies then their image would have been a
more acceptable one to the general public.
I know, only too well, that the major churches hold
an appalling track record as regards negligence towards animal welfare –
When did your parish church, your parish priest or parish minister ever
pray, preach or give praise for animals? You’ll be lucky if they ever
have! But, nevertheless, when a cleric does stick his or her neck out
for such a noble cause, their offering is usually turned down with scorn
or concealed derision. I speak for myself when I say that an offer to
give ‘a few words and a prayer’ at an Oxford rally was flatly refused.
The nearest I got to a favourable response was: “You are most welcome to
walk along, and intermingle with the rest of us. As are all of other
religions and of none.” ‘Very sad!’ I thought. More so as I graduated
from an Oxford college for the established church of the land!
It is quite remarkable how the presence of an attired
cleric brings true respectability and willing acceptance in to any
worthy movement, but very sadly it is hardly wanted by certain animal
rights extremists in leadership! Consequently, things far too often lean
towards the direction of an unkempt anarchy reminiscent of Robespierre
and the French Revolution mob mentality. Of course, I would not
generalise as many friends beneath balaclavas have the saintliest
countenance and often endure most unjust sentences. My criticism is of
‘loud mouthed rabble raisers’ whose arrogance hardly conveys empathy and
compassion towards all life – be it animal or human – which suffers
through the evils and injustices of our present time
‘What you are speaks so loudly that I can’t always hear what you
say!’ This is a remark that is not only justifiably applicable at times
to some advocates of evangelical Christianity! It is also of much
relevance within the circles of animal rights as well. The situation may
not have been identical but, nevertheless, the quick success of the
demonstrations at Shoreham – in contrast with the lengthy, drawn out
efforts at Oxford – could well be due to the way such demonstrations
were transacted. However – once again, you do not have to agree with me!
– Politically speaking, there have always been the Bessy Braddocks of
Bootle as well as the Margaret Thatchers of Grantham! Animal activism is
no different: It has its counterparts!
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