Catholic priest BLESSES venue used for cruel hare coursing event

international | animal rights | opinion/analysis Wednesday October 08, 2014 16:54 by Against animal cruelty

I have to ask: does the Catholic Church have a death wish?

Hare coursing is a horribly cruel “sport” that is a crime in many jurisdictions. It’s bad enough that the Irish government allows it…but this week pictures circulating on social media (twitter and facebook) clearly show a Catholic Priest officially BLESSING a hare coursing venue.

protest against coursing cruelty

The pictures were taken recently at the field used by Glin Coursing Club in Co. Limerick.

Here’s a link to a facebook page carrying one of the pictures :

https://www.facebook.com/158202197539968/photos/pb.1582...eater

This priest is in direct contravention of the official Catechism of the Catholic Church which clearly states that 'it is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer and die needlessly.”

The Catechism also says that “Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness.”

Hare coursing involves hares being trapped, snatched from their natural habitats and then used as live bait in contests between competing pairs of greyhounds. Many hares get mauled or otherwise injured when struck or pinned down by the dogs. Some hares are fed live to greyhounds prior to coursing to whet their appetite for blood.

After the blessing ceremony at Glin hare coursing field, the animals were terrorized for amusement of gamblers and people who get their kicks from cruelty.

Here’s a video of hare coursing in Ireland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLRkXOvbUPNNjMc6LShwi...MRElM

What does the Pope think of hare coursing? Saint Francis was against all such forms of animal cruelty so I reckon Pope Francis would hardly approve of it.

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captive hare prior to coursing

hare mauled by dogs at coursing event