YOUCAT*: “Man should honor the Creator in other creatures and treat them carefully and responsibly. Man, animals and plants have the same Creator who called them into being out of love. Therefore a love of animals is profoundly human.” [CCC 344, 354]
According to Genesis, by the end of the sixth day, the land, sea and sky were filled with living creatures. I wasn’t always the greatest fan of animals, especially since I have an allergy to some. But many of us (yes, now me included) have pets … dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. They are definitely part of our ohana. We feed them, play with them and even take them on vacation. God created these animals and so we should love them and treat them well.
“May you be praised, O Lord, in all your creatures …” —St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Creatures
*Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
Lisa Gomes is the director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry