Published 12/09/2014

The Christian churches have provided few champions of animal welfare, especially farm animal welfare. One notable exception was the former Bishop of Salisbury, John Austin Baker. Not only was he a Patron of Compassion in World Farming, the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals and Catholic Concern for Animals, but he spoke out against factory farming from the pulpit.

He said: “To shut your mind, heart and imagination from the sufferings of others is to begin slowly, but inexorably, to die. Those Christians who close their minds and hearts to the cause of animal welfare, and the evils it seeks to combat, are ignoring the fundamental spiritual teachings of Christ himself.”

Sadly Bishop John died three months ago. Compassion’s Ambassador, Joyce D’Silva, attended his beautiful Memorial Service in Salisbury Cathedral on 5^th September. His widow, Jill, emphasized to Joyce how deeply Bishop John felt on the issue of factory farming. We really appreciate that all donations made at the Service will be shared between Compassion in World Farming and Sudan Medical Link.