Pope Francis encouraged people to eat less meat for the sake of the planet. E.g, the Vatican’s 2021 “Laudato Si’ Action Platform” encouraged more sustainable diets and reduced environmental impact; and during COP26, Pope Francis urged changes in “lifestyles” and “consumption patterns” to protect creation. That is a step forward. But the deeper question remains: what about compassion for the innocent animals themselves? The lamb, the calf, the piglet are not merely “environmen

God is love (1 John 4:8 NIV); God loves the world (John 3:16), including ALL His creation (Psalm 145:9); and Christ is compassion (Matthew 9:13; 12:7). “Thou shalt not kill (Lo tirtzach)!” God commands (Exodus 20:13 KJV). “Lo tirtzach” covers all sentient beings. It covers animals, as “He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man...” (Isaiah 66:3); and “The righteous care for the needs of their animals,” (Proverbs 12:10). It also covers foetuses:- “If people are fighti

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5), Jesus teaches. Meek means humble. Jesus describes Himself as “gentle and humble in heart” (Matt 1:29). Moses is also described as “very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Num 12:3). If we are humble, we will not be so humanocentric as to think that only we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and therefore all other creatures are made for us to (ab)use. If we are humble, we will n

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12) When those who defend the innocent are fined, imprisoned, or silenced, they embody the very Beatitude spoken by Christ: “Bless