The new Catholic
Catechism
* . * . *
The monks will launch
their new drive by organising a 'march on the Vatican'
* . * .
*
Article from the 30 October 1992 edition of The Catholic
Herald:
FRANCISCANS TO BRING ANIMALS TWO BY TWO
"Italian Franciscans are spearheading a worldwide campaign for a
last-minute review of an article in the Church's new Universal
Catechism which they claim renders animal vivisection
legitimate.
The monks will launch their new drive by organising a 'march on the
Vatican' - and they will have a menagerie of animals in tow.
They are said to be keeping the date secret although it will take
place on a Sunday and will be designed as a 'surprise' for Pope
John Paul II when he appears at his balcony for the Angelus. The
Franciscans are protesting against article 2,417 of the new
catechism, to be officially promulgated on December 9.
The article says that within reasonable limits, scientific
experimentation on animals is a morally admissible practice because
it helps alleviate human suffering and could save human life.
Franciscans, who number about 13,000 worldwide, have already sent
the Pope a letter outlining their grievances."
Unfortunately the good Franciscan Monks were unable to influence
the Pope. The new Catholic Catechism was later published in
1994."
