What would Francis do?

* In October, animal lovers all over the country brought their dogs, cats, birds and other animals to churches for the blessing of animals. This ceremony is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis who loved all creation. It's a nice ceremony, but it raises a question I believe Francis would ask were he here today: In our animal-loving society, why does the majority miss out on our compassion? More than 10 billion intensively-raised land animals will end up on dinner tables this year in America alone. They're flesh and blood and can feel love, happiness, loneliness and fear just like dogs and cats. Because they were born chickens, pigs or cows, these animals are denied everything natural to them, never able to feel the earth beneath their feet or the sun on their faces, what they were designed and created to enjoy.

Instead, they endure mutilation without painkillers. Chicks have their beaks burned off. Cows and pigs are castrated without pain relief, dehorned, branded. Veal calves are kept in lonely isolation, while chickens are crowded so closely together they can barely move, spending their lives confined to stalls and metal cages, terrified and suffering. Their fear and pain end only after they have been driven to the mechanized massacre of today's slaughterhouse. We have a choice when we sit down to eat, to add to the level of violence, misery and death in the world, or to emulate Francis's active compassion for all creatures. In honor of this great saint, consider blessing all animals by not eating any of them. Why just say grace when you can show it?

DAN PADEN

Norfolk, Va.

COPYRIGHT 2006 National Catholic Reporter
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning