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church : revd jo's letter : march 2007 added 06/02/07 With a particularly busy week ahead of me, I am writing my monthly Glenside letter rather earlier than usual, and listening to news of the dreadful slaughter of thousands of turkeys at Bernard Matthews’ factory farm in Holton. And what a lot this has to teach us. I have written before (and spoken often) on my views on factory farming and intensive rearing. Now the events at Holton serve only to confirm me in my views. Human greed and wilful refusal to be stewards, not abusers of creation, lies at the heart of this. In Genesis we read how God commanded us to respect and care for the earth and its creatures. Crowding turkeys into intensive rearing sheds, to fatten them in the shortest possible time, with token regard for their comfort and wellbeing is bound to spread disease. Mr Matthews has, no doubt, made excellent profits from his turkeys. Supermarkets have, no doubt, made similarly excellent profits by buying from him at the lowest possible price. Feed suppliers and drug companies make excellent profits. Employment in rural Suffolk has become more readily available, raising living standards for those concerned. Consumers can now buy processed turkey joints all year round. The turkey sheds benefit everyone. But at what cost? As Christians, we have a duty both to cherish creation and to deny ourselves. Intensive rearing is incompatible with the living out of our faith. If we are to keep God’s commandments, we must refuse to buy meat reared in this way. If cost is a factor, we can eat less. Protein can be derived from many other ethical sources. People do have the right to work and support their families; but that doesn’t have to mean work of this kind. Supermarkets are a way of life, but there is plenty of choice, and plenty of ethically produced food on the shelves. I am well aware that my views on ethical issues and social justice have not always been well received. I should be very happy to discuss them with those who have raised objections, and make no apology for voicing those views. My calling as a priest places on me a duty to work for justice and to follow the teachings of the Gospel. Jesus wasn’t popular for his championing of the poor and marginalised; of those who have no voice to speak for themselves. Discipleship has a cost, and if that cost is facing opposition, I – and you – have a Christian duty to do so. And now to matters closer to home. Our sympathies are with the families of Val Bowler and Muriel Slater, whose funerals took place at the end of January. Both were remarkable women, and they will be greatly missed. Our temple visit has been oversubscribed, and I am sorry if you were one of those who booked too late. We look forward to deepening our understanding of other faiths, and to forging links with them. Again, I am aware that there has been criticism of this venture, and can only say that, again, the Gospel tells us to welcome the stranger, to work for peace and to love others as ourselves. If we make no effort to understand other faiths, we cannot claim to be disciples. Thank you to those who have expressed an interest in forming a choir. I will be in touch at the beginning of March with a view to holding an initial meeting and practice. Everyone is welcome. With every good wish Jo |
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