The Problem of the Pastor’s Dog
GUEST COLUMN
An owner treats his dog like family. Both live together in a bond of great intimacy and affection.
Priestly dog ownership raises a trifling but ticklish question: Should a pastor house his dog in the rectory? Moral theologian Francis J. Connell, C.SS.R., replies with an equivocal “yes and no.”
Neither divine law nor the general law of the Church forbids a priest from owning a domesticated carnivorous canine. The propriety of using the rectory as a dog house is, however, an arguable point.
Bishops rarely lay down rules regarding a priest’s in-house pets. On this topic, Canon Law is silent. Holy Writ mentions the dog over 40 times, but mostly in terms of contempt and aversion — e.g., “As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly” (Prov. 26:11) and “Do not give dogs what is holy” (Mt. 7:16).
You May Also Enjoy
Reviews of The New World of Faith by Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J... Catholic Social Teaching, 1891-Present: A Historical, Theological and Ethical Analysis by Charles E. Curran... The Old Religion in a New World: The History of North American Christianity by Mark A. Noll
Reviews of The Rosary of Our Lady... The Mass Explained to Children... Growth of the Liberal Soul... The Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell... Pilgrim Law... Christianity and American Freemasonry... Sexual Wisdom: A Guide for Parents, Young Adults, Educators, and Physicians...
How bad have things gotten in the Catholic Church in France? Only 4.5 percent of all the nation's Catholics attend Mass at least once a week.