Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 6th Sunday of Easter.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are fourteen (14) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Seventh Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not steal.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2456.
The Seventh Commandment, ‘You shall not steal’, also includes caring for that which we have, this is also called stewardship. Animals are included as a part of God’s good creation for which we are to care. “The righteous care for the needs of their animals” (Proverbs 12:10). One way we are to subdue the Earth is through the domestication of animals (cf. Genesis 1:28). The keeping and tending of herds and flocks of sheep and cattle are frequently mentioned in Sacred Scripture (cf. Exodus 10:9; 12:3817:3; Deuteronomy 8:13; 14:23; 15:19). The Lord Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (cf. John 10:11; Jeremiah 3:15). Of course, sheep are not only kept or tended for their wool…
Often on the 4th of October when Mother Church celebrates liturgically the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi (+1226) animals are blessed using the following prayer: “O God, the Author and giver of every gift, animals also are part of the way You provide help for our needs and labors. We pray through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi that You will make available for our use the things we need to maintain an decent human life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.” (cf. Book of Blessings, 957). Saint Francis is the celebrated author of the Canticle of the Creatures (sometimes called Canticle of the Sun) and as such is venerated as patron of animals. Various reasons are given for Saint Francis being the patron saint of animals: the taming of the wolf of Gubbio; preaching to the birds (famously depicted by Giotto) (cf. Little Flowers of St Francis. Mineola, New York: Dover, 2003, 25–26, 34–36).
Cruelty to animals, hunting to the point of extinction and the like are all contrary to the Law and will of God and the teachings of Mother Church. Peter Singer, Steven Wise and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) are often extreme in their push for “animal rights” (while denying the right of the unborn human beings?/!). While we are able to eat many plants (cf. Genesis 1:29; Daniel 1:12) Sacred Scripture does not require us to be vegetarians (cf. Genesis 9:3; Leviticus 11:1–47; Proverbs 15:17; 22:20–21; Isaiah 23:6; Luke 15:23; Acts 10:11–16; Romans 14:1–23;). Indeed, the Passover lamb itself is a symbol of Christ our passover (cf. Exodus 12:21, 46; Numbers 9:11; Deuteronomy 16:4; Ezra 6:20; 2 Chronicles 30:15; 35:1, 6, 11; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:7–8; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Saint John the Baptist wore a leather belt (cf Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6). Sandals of fine leather, wineskins and articles of clothing made from leather are all cited approvingly in Sacred Scripture (cf. Genesis 3:21; Ezekiel 16:10; Matthew 9:17; Luke 5:37).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr