Topic: Is cruelty to animals a sin?

Source of this posting: moderator response

Date originally posted: September 29, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source:  Cathy Rusin

Question:  Is cruelty to animal a sin ? If you don't know about a sin and you do it are you held responsible for your actions ?

Answer:

Hi,

For the answer to your first question, I’ll summarize a few paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2415-2418), which treats this topic under a consideration of the Seventh Commandment “You shall not steal”.

Animals are God’s creatures, surrounded by God’s providential love and care. By their existence we know more of God’s creative power, and we owe them kindness. Coming up very soon (October 4) is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a man who recognized nature and animals as his brothers and sisters. Many places have special “Blessings of Animals” around the time of his feast.

God entrusted humanity with stewardship of the earth and animals. “Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food or clothing. They may be domesticated to help man (sic) in his work or leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals, if it remains within reasonable limits, is a morally acceptable practice since it contributes to caring for or saving human lives.”

“It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons”

The short answer to your second question, “If you don't know about a sin and you do it are you held responsible for your actions?” is “yes”. What I mean is, although honest ignorance regarding the sinfulness of an action (or inaction) lessens or blocks a person’s ability to ‘choose the wrong’ (to sin), there is still going to be some consequence resulting from that action. Whenever we sin, deliberately or unknowingly, we are in some way weakening or breaking the bond of love between ourselves and God and our neighbor. Our responsibility therefore becomes to do what we are able to repair that bond, as soon as we recognize that it has been weakened.

To use an example from the legal world… if you’re going down the highway at 70 mph, because you think that’s the speed limit, and the Highway Patrol pulls you over and gives you a ticket because the limit is actually 55 mph, or you’re in a construction zone, well – your intentions may have been innocent, but the ticket still needs to be paid! So in driving, as in life, watch for the signs and pay attention to the road.

Peace to you!
Cathy Rusin