A bishop is urging churches to pray for animal, as well as human, casualties of warfare at Remembrance services this weekend.
From the eight million horses that died in WW1 to the dolphins used to search for mines in the Gulf conflict to the monkeys and pigs used to test biological and chemical weapons, we should remember the animals who suffer and die as a result of human conflict, says the Bishop of Monmouth.
The Rt Revd Dominic Walker, who is also a vice-president of the RSPCA, says animals share a common bond with people and their welfare should be on the Church’s agenda.
He says, “Animals have been used to carry troops and equipment, to pull gun carriages and supplies, and, along with the men they have served, millions have died of wounds, starvation, thirst, exhaustion, disease, and exposure.
“It is a sad fact of animal welfare that whenever human beings and animals come into contact, so often it is to the detriment of the animals, and yet there is a common bond between humans and animals. Nevertheless, animals rarely get a mention in prayers in our churches, even on Harvest Festival, let along Remembrance Sunday.
“This Remembrance Sunday, it would be good to think that some churches might remember the millions of animals that suffered and died in military action or as a result of warfare, and to pray for the animals that are still suffering today.”
Bishop Dominic is also calling on Christians to take animal, as well as human, welfare into account in their daily lives – from their diet to their shopping.
He says, “We need to be concerned about animals that are abused by being bred and treated as meat-and-milk-production machines and unable to live natural lives. Animal welfare is inevitably linked with human and environmental welfare because we share the same planet.
“God has given us dominion, but not domination, over other sentient beings. I believe that Christians should have an ethical diet and, wherever possible, buy food that is locally produced, fairly traded, and animal-welfare-friendly. Every time we do the household shopping, we make ethical decisions affecting the lives of poor people and animals.
“Animal welfare should be on the Church’s agenda, not least because of its global impact, but also because animals matter to God.”
