There are several different modes of writing in this issue – readers may have
to work a little harder than usual. As well as the academic (Gilhus), the
straightforwardly biographical (Agius), and the usual various accounts and
descriptions, there is an animal fable (The Lament for the Swan) – which
allegorically tells of the fallen human soul about to succumb, until Christ (the
dawn) comes and revives the drooping soul, allowing safe passage to the promised
land, at which all fellows join in praise of God. It is the use of animals as
spurs and incentives to us to honour and praise God that the seventeenth-century
writer Bishop Godfrey Goodman describes in his little-known book, extracted
here. The language may cause some difficulties, but the sense should come
through clearly. It is worth working through for the amazing insights and
sympathies expressed by this fascinating historical figure. What is slightly
depressing is that, nearly seven hundred years later, there are so few churchmen
and theologians willing to take animals as seriously as did this clerical
scholar.
Some official reports are mentioned throughout this issue, and members might
like to know that CCA plays a full part in responding to invitations by such
bodies as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the
Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) to comment on proposed legislation and
matters of concern. CCA also objected to the planning permission sought for a
proposed massive intensive factory farm in Lincolnshire, and is daily active in
signing on-line petitions, writing letters of protest etc to government leaders
at home and abroad, and to journalists and editors of newspaper and magazine
articles, and to television and radio producers. There is much ‘back-room’ work
conducted on members’ behalf, mostly unseen and unknown – but not, I hope,
ineffective. Of course, with more members, our views could carry more weight.
Readers of previous Arks will remember our last winner of the essay
competition, seminarian Dieudonne Rizinde Mahirwe. Dieudonne has now been
ordained priest and, after learning the local language, has been sent to his
first parish, Kasamba, a rural parish in Mansa Diocese, in northern Zambia. The
two other priests there are aged 70 and 80, so Dieudonne will be fully involved
in the work of primary evangelisation. Catholics form only nine per cent, with
the rest of the population following traditional practices, or are Jehovah’s
Witnesses. He tells me that Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation,
primary evangelisation and ecumenism are the main themes of the apostolate. He
will do what he can too to raise awareness of animal welfare. Please remember
him in your prayersThere are several different modes of writing in this issue –
readers may have to work a little harder than usual. As well as the academic (Gilhus),
the straightforwardly biographical (Agius), and the usual various accounts and
descriptions, there is an animal fable (The Lament for the Swan) – which
allegorically tells of the fallen human soul about to succumb, until Christ (the
dawn) comes and revives the drooping soul, allowing safe passage to the promised
land, at which all fellows join in praise of God. It is the use of animals as
spurs and incentives to us to honour and praise God that the seventeenth-century
writer Bishop Godfrey Goodman describes in his little-known book, extracted
here. The language may cause some difficulties, but the sense should come
through clearly. It is worth working through for the amazing insights and
sympathies expressed by this fascinating historical figure. What is slightly
depressing is that, nearly seven hundred years later, there are so few churchmen
and theologians willing to take animals as seriously as did this clerical
scholar.
