The Fellowship of Life
a Christian-based vegetarian group founded in 1973

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Lenten Press (2002/03)

Bishops Reject No Meat for Lent Campaign
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No appetite for vegetarian initiative, reports Christina White
 

An optimistic "Veg for Lent" campaign has drawn little Episcopal support from the bishops of the United Kingdom, revealing themselves to be a predominantly meat-eating set.

Vege4Lent 2003, is sponsored by the Christian Vegetarian Society, and was aimed at the laity as an introduction to theologically based vegetarianism.

Its flyer, distributed this year to parishes in the Birmingham, Shrewsbury and Hallam dioceses, argues that we can "live healthier and more spiritually consistent lives, in forsaking an acquired taste for meat". Vege4Lent asked parish priests to display the flyer on church notice boards but efforts to gain the formal backing of Catholic bishops fell largely on stony ground.

The campaigners wrote to various Catholic bishops with the question: "Do you believe that vegetarian campaigns can contain important truths, which may in time become assimilated within a wider Christian approach to life?" The bishops offered their blessings but declined to endorse the campaign.

Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow said he readily defended the right of vegetarians to avoid meat and he admired "their underlying motive, their so doing", but he would not back Vege4Lent. He did say, however, that "were you my guests", he would make "appropriate accommodation to meet your diet".

Bishop Ambrose Griffiths OSB of Hexham and Newcastle was rather more direct. "Among the many important concerns that are current, I think it has no place," wrote the bishop. "I regard vegetarianism as a personal fad which people should be free to follow if they wish, but should not impose their views on anybody else."

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, who last weekend told Catholics that they should not be gloomy about Lent, said he was "sympathetic" to vegetarians. Writing on the Cardinal's behalf, Mgr John Arnold said he was "sorry that he would not be sufficiently acquainted with the practice of vegetarianism to make a significant contribution to your discussions."

John Gilheany, a member of the Veg4Lent team described the responses as "respectful and kindly, if somewhat evasive and non-supportive".

"I think they did as well as they can in the circumstances. It's a long term process, we're not looking for instant success. It was just an exploratory exercise to establish some understanding."

Mr. Gilheany said the response from parishes had been zero. "We don't know what to make of that - maybe the flyers went straight in the bin or maybe it has encouraged further reflection."

A pastoral letter from the cardinal, read out at Masses last Sunday, reiterated the Pope's call to make a special effort to pray for peace throughout the Lenten season.

The cardinal called on Catholics to view Lent not as a season of gloom, but as a joyful season and a time of renewal. He said it was a time for new beginnings "when we are urged to deepen our faith and turn again in earnest to Christ".

In the next 40 days we have the chance to turn again towards the love that cannot be bettered, that love which is infinitely more powerful than our sin - for it is the very compassion and the love of God," he said.

Catholic Herald (7/3/03)

Return to Lenten Press (2002-03)

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