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."
