Animals in Heaven?
A Catholic Pastoral Response to Questions about Animals
by Terry Martin
Foreword by Andrew Linzey
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
166 Pages, 6.00 x 9.00 x 0.33 in
- Paperback
- 9798385226757
- Published: September 2024
$24.00 / £19.00 / AU$35.00
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Christians of all traditions have often puzzled with the question "Do dogs go to heaven?" Drawing on Catholic teaching, and on his long pastoral experience as a parish priest, Terry Martin expands that concept to consider wider issues around all animals, domesticated and free-living, and why they are here. Within a context of Christian faith, he seeks to understand the place of animals in God's complex creation and the relationship that human beings have (for good or ill) with those animals. More than that, he looks at the big questions which so many ask about who, under God, animals are and what meaning, if any, animal lives have from a Catholic Christian perspective.
Born in 1964, Terry Martin is a priest of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. After graduating from the Royal College of Music in London, he completed formation for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary, Wonersh, and the Venerable English College, Rome. Ordained in 1999, he has been, since 2015, parish priest of Worthing and Lancing in West Sussex, England. He is a former trustee of Catholic Concern for Animals.
“Let us welcome Fr. Martin to the tragically small club of serious Catholic authors who are taking these important issues seriously. And let us also hope and pray that many who read this book join us in taking these important issues seriously.”
—Charles C. Camosy, professor of medical humanities, Creighton University School of Medicine
“This is a delightfully written book and provides encouraging answers for those worried by the usual questions: Do animals have rights? Do they have souls? Will we see them in heaven? I happen to believe that the early saints and Jesus himself were far more concerned about the spiritual link between animals and humans than some later writers have realised.”
—Richard D. Ryder, author of Animal Revolution: Changing Attitudes towards Speciesism
“This admirable book deals with an often-neglected subject—how to consider the animal creation in the light of faith. It treats of complicated ideas in accessible ways—especially with anecdotes from the author’s pastoral ministry and of his delightful canine companions. The author’s research is impressive and yet does not obscure the message. Each chapter ends with a quotation from Laudato Si’ and a prayer, encouraging reflection—and prayerful reflection often leads to action!”
—Deborah Jones, former CEO, Catholic Concern for Animals
“Informed by the author’s rich human and animal connections, by his priestly and pastoral ministry, Animals in Heaven? advances a new manifesto for compassion in man’s dealings with our fellow species.
Humbly yet persuasively, Fr. Terry Martin shows the unity of sacred theology and profound human purpose in cherishing our brothers and sisters in Creation. This admirable work deserves our full attention, and over time to take its place alongside that of Peter Singer and Richard Ryder.”
—Duncan McNair, founder and CEO of Save the Asian Elephant
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