Deacon Joe Dwyer (with his dachshunds) says animals should be used as models of faith for their compassionate, loving ways. Religious leaders will head to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to sign the Proclamation of Animal Compassion. The simple document, created by dozens of leaders of diverse faiths, has a clear message: compassion for animals makes the world a better place, not just for them, but for all of us. (Woof!) The leaders promise to work to promote kindness to animals in their religious communities.
Excerpt from New York Daily News: Deacon Joseph Dwyer of the Archdiocese of Newark points out the importance of everyone pitching in and putting aside religious differences for the sake of the animals.
"This is proof positive that given an issue where you have a common goal, that you can put aside your religious differences and get on the same page," he said.
Dwyer, who has two dachshunds, Rommel and Greta, and Spartacus, a rescued beagle mix, attributes his love for animals to growing up an only child with a golden retriever that greatly influenced his life.
He believes the most misunderstood issue is that animals are also God's creation and should be treated with proper respect.
"They are very compassionate loving creatures that live in the moment and have no agendas," he said.
"We should be using them more as models of faith in many ways."
For example, the annual blessing of the animals held annually around Oct. 4, in honor of St. Francis, should be performed throughout the year.
Dwyer and other leaders hope to inspire members of their communities to do things such as adopt homeless animals, become aware of factory farming's inhumane practices and speak out against land development that ousts wildlife populations.
Find out more about the Proclamation of Animal Compassion at New York Daily News.
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