Posted on 12/11/2014 7:59:05 AM PST by Slings and Arrows
In his weekly address at the Vatican late last month, Pope Francis issued a remarkable statement that’s sure to come as welcome news to anyone who’s ever lost a beloved pet. According to Francis, the promise of an afterlife applies not only to believers, but to all animals as well.
"The Holy Scriptures teach us that the realization of this wonderful plan covers all that is around us, and that came out of the thought and the heart of God," Pope Francis said, as quoted by Italian news site Resapubblica.
The Pope then went on to say that “heaven is open to all creatures, and there [they] will be vested with the joy and love of God, without limits.”
Pope Francis’s stance on animals stands in contrast to that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who despite reportedly being a cat lover, said that animals’ existence was limited to their time on Earth. But Francis isn’t the first pontiff to take an animal-friendly approach to ideology. As newspaper Divisione la Repubblica notes, Pope John Paul II held a similar position, saying animals had a “divine breath.”
This isn’t the first time that Francis, who adopted his papal name in honor of the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi, has spoken out on behalf of nonhumans. In his first homily as pope, Francis articulated mankind’s role in serving not only the divine, but in all creatures born from it:
“The vocation of being a ‘protector,’ however, is not just something involving us Christians alone; it also has a prior dimension which is simply human, involving everyone. It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world, as the Book of Genesis tells us and as St. Francis of Assisi showed us. It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live."
God created our wonderful dogs. Why wouldn’t He want them in Heaven?
Animals are not capable of having a relationship with God.
I argue this with all animal lovers such as myself including my husband. As time goes by, observe, you will see what I say is true. Scientists will never find the combination that makes life until they accept God even though we cannot see him here now. When that day comes, great, great discoveries will be made by humankind. I know I ruffled some feathers but I must speak up. Thank you
Also ,Birds of Prey.
Also found in Isaiah 65:25
“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; the lion and the ox shall eat straw; and dust shall be the serpent’s food: they shall not hurt nor kill in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.”
Mr B..*with the new animals*
There will be not only new animals for us to get to know but tons of new personalities on Masion worlds.
Some days, this place seems like the freaking Roman Coliseum.
I can only guess.
Lazy?
Heartless?
Who cares?
It’s just a dog?
Not ~my~ paradigm, for certain.
:\
Seems like He sure went to a whole lot of trouble to make stuff He’s just gonna throw away, in the end.
I get the impression that some folks really just don’t *want* animals in Heaven.
They can argue with God about it when the time comes.
;)
Even the snakes?
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard.
Heaven and the new earth is gonna be so huge and mind blowing, that we can’t even begin to begin to guess how amazing it will be.
And some are foolishly bickering over critters.
Reminds me of the old saying “Your God is too small”.
Mine just happens to be limitless.
:)
“The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.”
Yup.
Snakes.
And they’ll probably talk, like they did in Eden.
:)
“And they’ll probably talk, like they did in Eden.”
Talking Cows too? Oh boy. :)
Well, I was sure that you’d know the answer! ;)
Dogs grieve.
A German Shepherd in Italy went to church every day after her master passed away.
The church goers felt so moved by her devotion they looked after her for the rest of her life.
I can conclude of all the creatures I have encountered in this life, her soul was the most... human.
Or mine!
He’s in charge. :)
My recently turned 15 Shih Tzu Charlie is scheduled to visit the Rainbow Bridge tomorrow at 12:30.
I am a wreck right now, he’s the best, kindest dog that i have ever owned.
I truly hope he will be on his way to heaven and that maybe we can meet again someday.
Will they get along with each other or any of the dogs you have had in your lifetime?......./humor
My condolences, they are part of the family.
One of the few things I agree with the Pope on. Everything alive has a bit of God in it and God is immortal.
Only those who reject Him and His Word are damned.
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