From the Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS
Sir, - As President of the Anglican Society for the Welfare of
Animals (ASWA) and an Honorary Vice-President of the RSPCA, I am
naturally disappointed that the Archbishop of Canterbury has not
included the Society among the charities of which he wishes to be a
patron.
While I fully respect his decision to limit his patronage, so
that he can be actively involved with the charities of which he is
patron, and in spite of the reassurance from Lambeth Palace of
Archbishop Welby's appreciation of the RSPCA, I hope that the
decision will not give the general public a false message that the
Church is not concerned about animal welfare.
Archbishop Welby is well regarded for his passion for peace and
justice issues, and that includes animals as well as humans,
because our lives are often interrelated. It is, therefore, good to
know that the Archbishop has agreed to be patron of a project
concerned with bees, upon whom human beings rely for pollination
and food.
One of the marks of the mission of the Church is the integrity
of creation, and yet Christians have not always had a high regard
for the treatment of animals and the rever- ence due towards animal
creation. Prayers for animals tend to be restricted to pet-blessing
services and harvest festival, while ignoring the suffering that
takes place through some intensive farming methods, laboratories,
and appalling breeding conditions.
The RSPCA was founded by an Anglican priest, the Revd Arthur
Broome, and our compassion, like the compassion of Jesus, should
extend to all sentient beings.
DOMINIC WALKER
2 St Vincent's Drive
Monmouth NP25 5DS
