In spite of sustained criticism of the Church for being so silent
regarding animal abuse, and in spite of the publication of Vera Yorke's
book
The Church's Supreme Disgrace, there is still little
acknowledgement from any of the main sects that we are part of nature
and that we share the planet with many forms of intelligent non-human
life. In consequence, it omits to say that we should behave like
trustees rather than tyrants.
It was encouraging, therefore, to read in the Ipswich Evening Star
that the Editor of St. Matthew's Church magazine had called factory
farming "one of the abominations of our time - a legalised wickedness".
I suppose the Church's attitude should not be expected to change too
quickly, when one considers that it took eighteen hundred years for it
to come out against slavery in human form. It is, nevertheless,
extraordinary to see agricultural development projects in the developing
countries which are funded by Christian Aid which involve inhumane
rearing, transporting and slaughtering methods.
The Church's insular attitude will lose it support in an increasingly
enlightened age.
Ag Feb/March 1983
(Journal of Compassion in World Farming)
Reproduced with Thanks.
