Chris Morrissey left a bleak picture of how animals are treated in his Sept. 7 column, “Think we don’t exploit the earth? Ask the animals.”
I have lived on an animal farm every day of my life until now. I’ve been involved with an animal group on a national level. Farm families love their animals and treat them as members of their families. These families work hard and long hours because they love making a living with their animals. Yes, there are exceptions, just as with people who have pets. Some pet owners will abuse their pets, but we all know those numbers are small. Likewise with larger animals.
The problem on factory farms is that workers are not necessarily there because they love the animals but for a paycheque.
In regard to factory farming emissions being three times those from transportation, U.S. air quality specialist Prof. Frank Mitloehner writes, “Half of one per cent of all global greenhouse gases are a result of animal-sourced foods we produce and consume in the U.S.’’ This will likely be much the same in Canada.
We can all become vegetarians, but not everyone can have a big veggie garden behind their house. We need people to grow our food, and that takes land and workers. Soils need to be drained and irrigated. Seed needs to be planted, weeded, harvested, and brought to market. It all takes high energy, so let us be as efficient as we can.
Steve De Jong
Surrey
I want to thank Alan Charlton for recommending the documentary All or Nothing, the portrait of Sister Clare Crockett, in his July 28 column.
It took me a month to get around to watching it, but it was so inspiring. When I started telling people about it, half of them had already seen it and loved it. Thank you!
Beth Ryan
Whitehorse
Re “Catholic faith in plain English course moving online” (B.C. Catholic, Aug. 24):
It is touching and encouraging to hear that Father Hawkswell answers his phone 24/7. I have not heard that he suffered a nervous breakdown or is in hospital with exhaustion, so it can work without being overwhelming.
Online courses are useful, but nothing replaces one-on-one conversation or talking to people face to face with proper distancing.
Marianne Werner
Vancouver
Thank you for Archbishop Miller’s Aug. 31 reflection, “Virtual liturgies no substitute for Mass in person,” about attending Mass in person.
In his excellent exhortation there is only one thing missing: the humble admission that the hierarchy failed to declare attending Holy Mass as “essential,” instead giving a general dispensation for all to not attend Mass. This has given the false impression that public worship is optional for the believer. It is not.
The Church does not oblige us to go to Holy Communion every time we attend Mass, but it gives us the Sunday obligation.
The Church has always declared it a mortal sin to fail to go to Mass on Sunday when we are physically able to do so. Even in times of persecution, Catholics who out of fear no longer attended Mass would be seen as lapsed, betraying their Lord and Saviour.
Gerlinde Elsbett
Powell River