Catholic Priests Should Not Be Killing Animals

Catholic Priests should not be killing animals

Dear Father:

Christopher Wenthe is a Twin Cities priest, St. Peter's and St. Joseph's Catholic churches in Delano, who finds peace, and morality: KILLING ANIMALS.

Please read this article that appeared on STAR TRIBUNE:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/69343007.html?cache=n&uccb=1264439330#post_comments

"It comes down to, 'Is it moral or not' to hunt? If it weren't, I wouldn't do it," he said. "To be honest, I haven't given it much thought. But I believe hunting is moral. We have a long tradition as Catholics and an extensive and very clear moral theological tradition, and none of it speaks to the immorality of hunting," said Father Christopher Wenthe, .

St. Francis of Assisi would beg to differ, who said,
"Not to hurt the creatures brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them wherever they require it." --Saint Francis of Assisi

“If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.” St. Francis of Assisi

In January 1990, Pope John Paul II issued a proclamation declaring that animals have souls.

Though the Church may say okay with this "sport"-it does involve KILLING, which is a violent act; because it is a "sport" that means enjoyment of killing. The animals suffer and die with cruelty. In my opinion, this is hardly priestly.

"I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. - When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you: Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: FOR YOUR HANDS are full of BLOOD, and your mouths are defiled with flesh,"~So Sayeth the Lord God, Isaiah 1:15,66:3

"He that killeth an Ox is as if slew a man," -Isaiah 66:3

AND GOD SAID, "BEHOLD: I HAVE GIVEN YOU EVERY HER BEARING SEED, WHICH IS UPON THE FACE OF ALL THE EARTH, AND EVERY TREE, IN WHICH IS THE FRUIT OF A TREE YIELDING SEED; TO YOU, IT SHALL BE FOR FOOD," So sayeth the Lord God, Genesis 1:29-30

"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox with hatred within," Proverbs 15:17

Not immoral? What part of "Thou shall not kill" does one not understand? Please stop this killing of animals-it is not a good role model for children. Hunting accidents are quite frequent, and oftentimes children get killed or maimed by such accidents.

Please see:

How many people are killed or injured during hunting accidents yearly?
http://animalrights.about.com/od/wildlife/f/HuntingAccident.htm

"According to the International Hunter Education Association, approximately 1,000 people in the US and Canada are accidentally shot by hunters every year, and just under a hundred of those accidents are fatalities. Most victims are hunters, but non-hunters are also sometimes killed or injured. Although some other forms of recreation cause more fatalities, hunting is one of the few activities that endangers the entire community, and not just the willing participants."

To see a whole listing of hunting accidents and fatalities in the USA, go here--there are MANY of them including fatalities:

http://www.all-creatures.org/cash/accident-center.html

Hunting accidents happen so frequently, there are ATTORNEYS who do nothing but those:

http://www.huntingaccidentinjury.com/

Should this Pastor accidentally shoot someone, even a child, just think of the publicity and the millions of dollars in litigation. And yes hunting accidents happen. That's why they call them accidents. It wouldn't look good for the school.

Let your conscience by your guide.

+In His name we Trust+

Sincerely,

cc: Reverend John C. Nienstedt
Nicole Belpedio, Principal, nbelpedio@delanocatholic.com
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

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