Animals: Tradition - Philosophy - Religion Article from All-Creatures.org



Will this Elephant Go Down in Church History?

From Barbara Niedźwiedzka, Christians for Animals - Poland
February 2022

The cardinal, a theologian, known for his sensitivity to poverty, experienced and wise, demonstrates courage in the face of an animal broken by torture.

[Translated by the author and permission granted by the author to reprint. The original text is published on the KONTAKT Magazine.]

Shriner's circus Elephant
Shriner's Circus Elephant, Ontario, Canada - Image from WeAnimalsMedia.org

I'm reading... and I don't believe it:

"Papal almsman Cardinal Konrad Krajewski earned a gesture on Saturday that caused astonishment and was captured on photos and recordings: he lay down in the circus arena to show that he was not afraid of an elephant. The animal gently walked over him. This caused delight in the audience the cardinal took to the circus in Rome: poor families, homeless people, alcoholics, drug addicts, refugees."

I sat overpowered with helplessness. The cardinal, a theologian, known for his sensitivity to poverty, experienced and wise, demonstrates courage in the face of an animal broken by torture. This demonstration, and the show as a whole, is meant to give encouragement to people in difficult life situations. Judging by the tumultuous applause, it momentarily added. It's easy for people to applaud in crowds, at events.

Who are we Christians? Who, deep down, is this knowledgeable about Scripture, the early traditions of the Church, Pope Francis' integral ecology and the moral state of the world? Did Pope Francis know what kind of a show he was putting on? The questions loom in my distraught head.

Topics include:

  • The broken soul of an elephant
  • Animals - the wonder of the Earth
  • Satanic feature of animal abuse
  • Enough of the mindlessness!

....

Go here to read the ENTIRE ARTICLE in ENGLISH (PDF)

Go here to read the ENTIRE ARTICLE in POLISH (PDF)


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