I wrote to my bishop on 5-7-2018 as follows, concerning my petition to the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales calling for a Committee on Animals:-
Dear Bishop Peter,
I have been trying to set up a local animal focused parish group and trying to collect signatures for a petition to the bishops, for several years now. It has been and is very difficult, because the clergy are not helpful. I have copied below a recent communication between myself and Fr. (A), and one between myself and Fr. (B).
Here followed the communications, where both priests confirmed that I was not permitted to collect signatures for my petition at events in their parishes. I then added:-
Fr C, also, banned me from approaching people with my petition at events in his parish, but in general other priests in the city just ignore my emails. I feel very much left out of the Christian community, just because I am active in what I believe in as a Christian.
The clergy should be actively encouraging the laity to be active missionaries in the Church, following their conscience and their vocation. (Here I mentioned one priest who had supported me:- )He was very enthusiastic about the St. Francis Group when I gave him a leaflet after Mass. He said that this sort of thing (parishioners being active) is what is needed in the Church. He told me not to give up and said that he’d pray for me. He recommended that I tell the bishop. What a contrast with the constant rejection I usually get from priests. Unfortunately he is retired.
To me, encouraging parishioners to be active should be a priority in the Church. There could be regular events where parish groups can advertise themselves and people can talk to them to find out more. The groups can recruit, or at least tell people what they are about. I’d be interested to chat to The Legion of Mary (I was once a member), and to know more about the St. Vincent de Paul group. I don’t know anything about the Knights of St. Columba or similar groups. These events would set a much needed example of Catholic action.
Can you help me?
Your obedient servant in Christ, Vee Bell (address and parish)
BISHOP PETER’S REPLY
Dear Vee,
The Bishop has forwarded your email to me and has asked me to thank you for writing to him.
Bishop Peter has a high regard for both Father B and Father A as pastors. He would have every confidence in the pastoral decisions they make, and he would ask you simply to accept the decisions they have made in regard to your requests.
The Bishop has also asked that I copy this email to both Parish Priests.
With kind regards
PA to Rt Rev Peter Doyle
Bishop of Northampton
Bishop Peter, by accepting the priests’ point of view and rejecting mine without consideration of the matter, has not treated his flock in a fair and just way. All baptised Catholics are equal members of the Church, but bishops see priests as more equal than lay members. This isn’t just unfair, it is a dangerous attitude, and has led to cover-ups in the past. Bishops should ensure that priests are accountable for their actions and decisions and consult with the lay church.
Catholic Action for animals 