During a public audience in 1990, the Holy Father affirmed that the animals, like men, were given the 'breath of life' by God. The Vatican squarely confronted this
concept for the first time. At the Pope's statement, Monsignor Canciani, who
welcome dogs and cats into his Church in Rome, said he had "experienced a great
joy. Now I sincerely hope that other priests will follow my example ..."
by Mimmo Pacifici
Rome, January 1990
Translated by Piera Smith from Genre Magazine and Man/Nature/Animals, January
1990.
"When the Pope stated that 'also the animals possess a soul and that men must
love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren', I felt greatly moved. At
last my work for the world of animals had been rewarded. I have welcomed my
parishioners into Church for Mass accompanied by their dogs, cats and other
faithful animal friends for a number of years because I have long recognized the
justice in maintaining that all God's creatures have the right to approach their
Creator. My decision has at times caused controversy. But now that the Holy
Father has affirmed that the animals are as "near to God as men are", those
people who have criticized me must surely change their opinion."
The speaker is Monsignor Canciani, 60 years old, Vicar of the Roman Church, San
Giovanni dei Fiorentini, already well-known the world over for having opened his
church doors to animals and because he also specially blesses them together with
his parishioners twice a year. Monsignor Canciani is happy because in a homily
given at the Vatican during a recent weekly audience the Pope made a number of
important statements about the creation of animals and their relationship with
men and with God. The Pontiff in fact stated that all animals are "fruit of the
creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect."
So what did the Holy Father actually say about animals, and why are these words
considered to be so important? Let us read together extracts from his
homily.
John Paul II quoting from several verses of Genesis spoke of the Divine creative
action of the Holy Spirit and said: "...in the account of the Creation, the way
in which man was created suggests a relationship with the spirit or 'breath' of
God. And one reads that after having created man from the dust of the earth,
the Lord God "breathed life into his nostrils and man became a living soul".
The Holy Scriptures thereby make clear that God intervened by means of His
breath of life or Spirit to make man a living soul. In man there is the "breath
of life" which came from the "breath" of God Himself. In him lives breath which
is similar to the very breath of God.
Then the Pontiff spoke of the creation of the animals and said: "In Genesis,
Chapter 2, where there is reference to the creation of the animals, there is not
given a similar account of their relationship with the divine spirit of God as
is given of that relationship with man. From the previous chapter we learn that
"Man was created in the image and likeness of God".
THE DIVINE SPARK OF LIFE
"However, other texts state that animals
have the breath of life and were given it by God. In this respect man, created
by the hand of God, is identical with all other living creatures. And so in
Psalm 103* there is no distinction between man and beasts when it reads,
addressing God: "...These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their
meat** in due course. That thou givest them, they gather: thou openest thy
hand, they are filled with good."
The psalmist continues: "Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest
away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy
spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth." The
existence therefore of all living creatures depends on the living spirit/breath
of God that not only creates but also sustains and renews the face of the
earth."
This affirmation of the Pontiff has aroused enormous interest the world over and
has overjoyed many thousands of Catholics who for many years have been deeply
concerned that the Church should reiterate and give back to animals the proper
respect and moral dignity due to the animal world which is often discriminated
against and long been considered inferior to that of men.
"This discourse by Pope Wojtyla is very important and significant" explains the
distinguished theologian Carlo Molari who for many years has been Professor of
Theology and Dogma at the University of Urbino. "It is a 'sign of the times'
because it demonstrates the Church's desire and deep concern to clarify present
confused thinking and attitudes towards the animal kingdom. There should be no
need, but the Pontiff in reiterating that the animals came into being because of
the direct action of the "breath" of God wanted to say that also these creatures
as well as man are possessed of the divine spark of life and that living quality
that is the soul. And are therefore not inferior beings or only of a
purely material reality."
TRANSCENDENT BEINGS
"If one goes on to contemplate that the word
"animal" is derived from that of 'anima' or soul, one understands, as the Pope
explains, that animals are indeed "touched" by the first principle of life which
is the Holy Spirit. But the intention of the Pope when he defines the animals
as being composed of both body and soul is not only meant to convey their value
in a metaphysical sense, but above all also in a moral sense specifically that
we must respect all the creatures of God. Clearly therefore because the animal
possesses the same "breath" of life as man, men must demonstrate proper and
total solidarity with the creatures that surround him. He must keep in his mind
that there is an animal life around him and at the same time must try to love
and respect it. And perhaps the profound and true message of the Pontiff is
that we must live in close harmony, and with love towards animals and all of
nature surrounding us."
"However", concludes theologian Carlo Molari, "it must be restated that there
remains a distinction between the soul of an animal and that of man. According
to Scripture the animal is destined to perish. It is mortal by definition,
unlike man who continues his existence beyond earthly life. So far as we
understand now there is no possibility that we will find other creatures in the
Hereafter. However, it's one thing to expound according to the theology and
philosophy we have studied and quite another for us to comprehend Divine
reality--both future and distant--which remains mysterious and difficult to
grasp within our limited capabilities."
Having now listened to the views of a theologian interpreting in his opinion
John Paul II's declaration upon the great spiritual "communion" between men and
animals, let us turn again to Monsignor Canciani's words, the priest who in his
genuine concern for animals, had anticipated the Church's new solidarity with
our 'faithful friends'.
"Yes, the Pope's words made me very happy" says Monsignor Canciani, who as well
as actively assisting the needy in his parish, and helping animals, is also a
writer and member of the (Vatican) Council. "The words strengthen even more my
love for animals which for years I have welcomed into my church together with
the faithful. Just think, after the Pope proclaimed publicly his own love of
animals, I received hundreds of phone calls from all over Italy. It was a
wonderful experience: I would pick up the receiver and at the other end of the
line people would all be complimenting me: "Did you hear, Monsignor? You were
right all along! The Pope has said we must all love animals. That they too
have souls and belong to God just like men. We do hope now that in our own
parish too we will be able to take our animals to Church. It would be wonderful
to be able to pray with them beside us." In fact I was on the phone all day and
at last I was able to answer that single question that everyone kept asking.
The Pope had made it easy for me when he had affirmed that man must live in
solidarity with animals, because to live in community with them is the first
principle of existence. And now that the Catholic Church officially is showing
herself more attentive to the needs of animals, lots of small memories come
crowding in on me, that day after day had impressed themselves upon me and
increased my respect for the animals which often save the lives of human
beings."
"I remember for example, the story of an old lady, who living alone in the
solitude of her home, to keep loneliness and sadness at bay, had depended
strongly on the love and friendship of a little white dog, old like herself and
rather worn. One day the old lady, no longer able to care for herself had been
forced to enter a Hospice. With her suitcase and the little dog in her arms she
presented herself at the door of the Hospice. But of course dogs were not
allowed in the Hospice and the old lady became terribly upset. She cried and
despaired and would not be parted from her faithful friend who had shared so
many years of her life. Finally knowing my love for animals she decided to
phone me to ask for help. I rushed immediately over to the Hospice and tried
hard to calm her telling her that I would look after her dog and we would both
visit her together frequently. However, day after day the situation got worse.
Both the dog and the old lady, not able to accept the situation seemed to want
only to die. The little dog pined in my study, refusing food and whining. The
old lady sat alone in dignified silence while her health visibly deteriorated.
So I finally decided to talk to the Director of the Hospice. "Does it seem
right to you that two creatures who love each other and are reaching the last
few years of their lives should be made to cruelly suffer in this way? Why not,
in the name of love can't we ignore the regulations". After much heart-
searching the Director allowed the little dog to be returned to its owner. I
can never forget the expression of pure joy on the woman's face when she saw her
little dog again and knew she could keep him once more. It is written in the
Bible that "God exists not only in man but in everything that lives." And I,
seeing the happiness of those two reunited, understood that animals also do have
souls, an interior tension with which they interact with God and with men."
"When did you decide to open the door of your Church to animals?"
"It was a spontaneous decision that sprang from mature reading of the Scriptures
which teach that Jesus dying redeemed not only man but the whole of creation:
and therefore animals too. I still remember clearly the very first time that,
assailed with many doubts, I decided to let a dog enter the Church for a
religious ceremony. Two of my older parishioners asked me to celebrate a Mass
for their 25th wedding anniversary and rather tentatively the asked whether not
only all their family and friends but their dog also, could participate in the
celebration as a kind of very affectionate member of the family. 'Without our
dog, it would seem as though our family were not complete and that in fact we
would not all really be united for such an important celebration.'
"I thought about this strange proposition for some time before I agreed to their
request. And it was a most beautiful and solemn ceremony. It was most moving
to see, close to the children, cousins, nephews and nieces of the couple, that
quiet gentle animal, waiting patiently with the family. I understood that their
dog represented symbolically to the congregation the qualities of friendship and
faithfulness of those two people which, among other things, had kept the couple
lovingly together."
AN INFALLIBLE METHOD
"From that experience I opened my Church to
animals, and people can enter whenever they wish with their faithful friends,
not only during a private arrangement but whenever they come to confess or take
part in the Holy Mass. And I now bless animals and their owners twice a year
during a special Mass because all creatures have the right to feel loved by God
and be near Him."
"I have also learned to make use of the sensitivity and love animals have for
people to solve the most disparate and desperate cases. I have helped back to
happy everyday life many cases of drug dependency when the addicts could find no
way out of the tunnel, as well as both old and young people who have been
through periods of deep depression and feelings of worthlessness unable to find
any sense in their lives. I have been able to do this with an infallible method
which I now always use: I present myself at their door with a kitten or puppy
in my arm together with a small bag of food for the creature. I knock and ask:
"Can you do me an enormous favour? I have to leave and won't be back for a
week. There's no-one who can look after this little animal. Can you possibly
help?" The response is usually one of indifference, even distaste and the door
is sometimes almost closed in my face. But seeing how insistent I am they agree
to do me this small favour. Upon my return the situation is usually completely
different. A different person stands before me. No longer apathetic and
desperate, because the little animal in its innocence and trusting dependence
drew out hidden depths of buried affection. This indicates that man will truly
find genuine happiness if he will learn to trust again in the love and
companionship of animals."
(*Note: Douai Version; Ps 104 in the Authorised Version) (**'meat' in the Bible
means 'food' not the flesh of animals or man which when referred to is called
'flesh')