Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care

Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care

Christians believe that the logos is the source of all life, yet Christian worship remains unashamedly human-centric. The world of creation, and animals in particular, is almost invisible in our worship. The churches do not have the liturgical means of celebrating the life of animals, giving thanks for their companionship, praying for the relief of their suffering, or marking their death. This unique book provides a variety of liturgies that are animal-friendly and animal-inclusive. They include services in celebration of animal companionship, services for animal welfare, healing liturgies, new eucharistic prayers "for the whole creation" and animal burial services. Underlying all these new forms is a serious theological purpose: to help us to draw deeper into the mystery of God's work in creation and to affirm other sentient beings as co-creatures with us. ""The commentary, thoughts, and prayers on this issue of animal care are a very necessary provision to help clergy and ministers understand and appreciate the theme of Christian responsibility for creation."" --The Most Reverend Alwyn Rice Jones, Archbishop of Wales "" . . . of an exceptionally high standard both in language and content."" --Bishop John Baker Andrew Linzey is Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and a member of the Faculty of Theology in the University of Oxford.