THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE "RIGHTS OF ANIMALS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—The position of the Catholic Church towards this subject cannot be more clearly nor more accurately expressed than in the words of one of the most illustrious of her princes —viz., the late Cardinal John Henry Newman. In a sermon entitled "Omnipotence in Bonds," preached before the University of Dublin, he writes :—" You know we have no duties towards the brute creation ; there is no relation of justice between them and us. Of course, we are bound not to treat them ill, for cruelty (i.e., the infliction of pain for pain's sake) is an offence against that holy law which our Maker has written on our hearts, and it is displeasing to Him. But they can claim nothing at our hand ; into our hands they are absolutely delivered. We may use them, we may destroy them at our pleasure, not our wanton pleasure, but still for our own ends, for our own benefit and satisfaction, provided that we can give a rational account of what we do."
Attempts have been made—most valiant, indeed, but yet most vain—to claim St. Thomas and other distinguished theologians as favouring an opposite view, but the fact is, the learned Cardinal does but voice the opinion of the whole body of Catholic theologians. Father Joseph Rickaby, S.J., truly remarks, in the Spectator of July 15th,—" The Catholic Church has not condemned vivisection." Now, considering that it has been practised ever since the foundation of Christianity, and, indeed, long before, her persistent refusal to condemn it, sufficiently indicates what her mind really is on the subject.
Archbishop's House, Westminster, S.W., July 15th.
P.S.—St. Thomas, speaking of beasts, birds, fish, &c., writes-, —"Ipsis, secundum rationem et voluntatem, nti potest (homo) ad suum commodum et utilitatem."
[So much the worse for the Catholic Church. The con- science of man rejects this view, and in the great majority of healthy-minded men will always reject it.—En. Spectatord
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