Animals: Tradition - Philosophy - Religion Article from All-Creatures.org

Animals in Heaven?

From SARX: For All God's Creatures
October 2024

I would suggest that Christians show more compassion by praying for animals, by blessing animals, and by living the compassion of Christ in how they relate to animals. But, mostly, I invite fellow-Christians to see animals as creatures of God, not as commodities, or helpmates, or sources of protein. Love compels us, in the name of Jesus, to treat one another with respect and dignity, why should that not extend to all parts of God’s creation, and not least to animals?

Learn more here: Animals in Heaven?

In this insightful interview, Fr Terry Martin, a vegan Catholic priest, discusses his latest book Animals in Heaven?. Drawing from his pastoral experience and Catholic teachings, he reflects on the spiritual significance of animals, their place in creation, and how Christians can integrate compassion for animals into their faith practices. Fr Terry shares personal stories and theological insights, inviting readers to reconsider their relationship with God’s creatures.

Frank Mckenna, Unsplash

What inspired you to write Animals in Heaven? and address these big questions from a Catholic perspective?

My faith remains the bedrock of my understanding and experience; it informs every aspect of who I am and the way in which I try to live my life. My growing awareness of the fact that God consciously (and not accidentally) chooses to create animals, that animals are genuinely vulnerable at the hands of human dominion, and that the normalised suffering to which animals are subjected is all around and yet very often unseen (especially in animals raised for food), began to trouble me both as a human being and as a Christian. At the same time, on a more positive note, I am personally very aware of the joy and blessing that animals can bring to humans and of their ability to point us beyond ourselves and, instead, to God. I wanted to know where the Catholic Church actually stands on issues such as how humans treat animals, why animals are here, what God is doing when he creates them, and so on. At first, I attempted a broader Christian (rather than just Catholic) approach in the book—but that task was too large and unmanageable, so the decision to root my thinking with illustrations and anecdotes from my own pastoral ministry meant that I needed, really, to focus on that which I know (and love) best—the Catholic Church. Additionally, although Catholic teaching around animals is somewhat scant, much of what does exist advocates kindness and generosity towards animals as divinely created beings (like us!).

Awmleer, Unsplash

How do you see the relationship between animals and humans in the context of Christian faith?

I am deeply saddened that so many Christians do not really ‘see’ animals. It grieves me that Christian feasts and festivals are celebrated with food products that ultimately see animals as sources of protein for humans. There is very little connection for the vast majority of Christians between the animals that God has created and with whom we are invited graciously to share the planet, and the food that they put on their plate. Very soon in the Catholic Church, we are moving to a new lectionary (the official book that contains all the bible readings for Mass). The job of publishing that work has been given to a single publisher, and the only available volumes are leather-bound, with no plans to produce an alternative. Aside from the obvious legal implications (veganism being a protected characteristic in law), how can a Christian organisation bless the inherent cruelty to animals which is involved in the production of leather? The Christian community simply does not care enough about animals to see beyond their usefulness to humanity. Surely, if anyone is going to stand up and speak out for the voiceless, it could be Christians, who are called to do just this.

What role do you think the Church could play in advocating for animals in today’s world?

The Church can be more proactive in promoting a lifestyle that is kinder to the planet in all its aspects. If you search hard enough, all the Christian leaders are kind of saying the right things… but they are not saying it often enough, and they are not saying it loudly enough! It is now common knowledge that factory farming is a major contributor to the devastation of the planet. Why are the churches not saying this? And advocating change? Do Christians really care about the planet as a God-given opportunity to thrive and grow? I fear not. Christians, like others, are taking the planet, and animals, for granted, it seems. I have no desire to judge other Christians, but I am sad that what seems so obvious is ignored and even robustly rejected with all kinds of intellectual and spiritual arguments.

What do you hope Christians will take away from your book regarding their responsibility toward animals?

My hope is that readers will find, in the book, new ways to reflect, as human beings, on our relationship with animals and with the planet. I do not try to come up with scholarly and theological discussions of the issues at hand but, rather, to show, from the stories and recollections I share from my own life and ministry, that there is a kinder, more compassionate way and that this is, perhaps, a more Christ-like way. I do mention veganism in the book but, in fact, not eating animals is implied throughout, rather than insisted upon, as a natural extension of seeing animals for who they really are: God’s gift to us as companions and exemplars of so much (not least beauty and wonder).

David Clode, Unsplash

Can you share an experience from your ministry that deepened your views on animals and faith?

Every day I celebrate Mass in our church building with a good number of people. Our parish is a large, thriving community and is as diverse as it is exciting. The Eucharistic Prayers of the Mass (the prayers which are prayed over the bread and wine) transform bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. Each prayer expresses, sometimes frequently, the giftedness of the planet from God to humanity and speaks of all beings existing to praise him. I try to emphasise, and preach about, these passages and to draw people into a sense of what is going on: the whole of creation exists in praise of God (i.e., by creation’s mere existence, God is glorified) and to praise God (i.e., there is an opportunity for us to reorient our hearts God-wards through the experience of creation and to thank God for so much blessing)—it is cause and effect. For something like the Mass, so central to the lives of Catholics, I sense that we don’t stop and understand enough of what we are actually praying in these formal prayers of the Church. There is a chapter in the book about this where I draw on many (though not all) examples of this. I think it is one of the better sections, because it takes the texts of the prayers and asks why we are not listening and not ‘hearing’ them.

What advice would you give to Christians who want to incorporate more compassion for animals into their faith practices?

I would suggest that Christians show more compassion by praying for animals, by blessing animals, and by living the compassion of Christ in how they relate to animals. But, mostly, I invite fellow-Christians to see animals as creatures of God, not as commodities, or helpmates, or sources of protein. Love compels us, in the name of Jesus, to treat one another with respect and dignity, why should that not extend to all parts of God’s creation, and not least to animals?

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Fr Terry Martin is a Catholic priest serving in the Parish of Worthing and Lancing. A committed vegan and advocate for animal rights, he integrates his faith with a compassionate approach toward all creatures.

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Posted on All-Creatures: October 12, 2024
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