Priests Starve Cats at St. James Church

On March 19, 2012, jackie kenny wrote:

What would it cost for you to show some empathy towards the cats
a few dollars, a bit of goodness from your heart. These are the same priest who will get on the pulpit and preach to people about kindness etc. Take a few of your almighty dollars and humanely have the cats fixed maybe God will reward you, and forgive your cruelty. Your pretty quick at taking money from the church people. Not to mention what the likes of your own did to our children a few years ago. Really practice what you preach!

On March 19, 2012, sherry wrote:

The church is complaining about only a few (8) cats. They are all fixed and have their shots, so whats the big deal. It sounds like the church is up set with the cats because the cats can’t pay the church so the church wants to get rid of them. Once again the church show that they are selfish. I thought the church was to love all living things, not harm them.

On March 19, 2012, Patricia M. Hofer wrote:

I wonder what Jesus or Saint Francis would say to these “priests” ?

On March 19, 2012, shana schultz wrote:

Shame on the grounds keeper and church ministers that would promote or look the other way to the harsh treatment of these beasts of burden. They clearly need to revisit the Bible on how to be better servants of God.

On March 19, 2012, Natalie Jarnstedt wrote:

Here’s a perfect example of “true Christian values”, spewed by religious leaders and politicians every second - it is hypocrisy at its best!

On March 19, 2012, Heidi Roberts wrote:

Typical of the Catholic Church, the have been preaching to the world for centuries to be good Christians, but the Church does not believe in what it preaches. Show a little compassion for your fellow creatures you pompous asses!

On March 19, 2012, Ken Broggelwirth wrote:

This is truely outrageous. Those Cats had caregivers who volunteered to feed them and had them spayed, neutered, and vacinated. The harm nobody and help to keep the mouse and rat populations down. How can you claim to be Christian and cause suffering and pain to the lowliest of gods creatures. I have every mind to jump on the train to NYC and give these supposed “men of god” a piece of my mind. What is wrong with you fools.

On March 19, 2012, liz harris wrote:

How sad is That!!! They are not good Christians to starve Gods creatures,And they preach compassion! How heartless can one get!! What if they were hungry and no one cared. I believe in God and worship him everyday and I do not think This is what God wants.

On March 19, 2012, B. Anderson wrote:

I am sure God is very proud of you!

I have been out of work for over 18 months. I am fighting cancer and have expenses that need to be covered. I still find a way to care for the four abused and abandoned cats that I have. I even take care of feeding any I see outside in need. I even feel guilty that I can’t take better care of them. SHAME ON YOU — Oh, by the way God Bless You…you certainly can use all the help you can get. Maybe if you practiced a little of what you preached you would have more Catholics attending their churches….just a thought!

On March 19, 2012, Karen ONeil wrote:

Are you kidding me? These are God’s creatures! If these priests don’t have any empathy for these poor cats then they are hypocrites. If priests are going to torture these poor things then they are no better than the “A- holes” that abuse animals. I thought the church was supposed to be open to all God’s creatures. I bet they would get more donations on Sunday if they mention that they need help in paying for food and care for these poor things! Come on Priests … man up and help these poor things ….. not make their life harder.

You can coddle, feed, shelter and protect child abusers but 8 little starving cats you want to torture and starve …. maybe even kill ?? Let’s be real !

On March 19, 2012, Denise Mullen wrote:

I sent an email to that hateful priest.

On March 19, 2012, Grady wrote:

ALL IN THE NAME OF RELIGION STARTED WITH ANIMAL SACRIFICES OF THE BIBLE. We still have in today’s worldwide societies the animal sacrifices based on the pretext of the bible. “MAN SHALL HAVE DOMINION OVER THE ANIMALS” along with the horrific terror, torture and cruelties of animal abuses are in the old testament bibles of different worldwide religions. Animal Sacrifices are in the forms of: slaughterhouses, kosher killing, vivisection, animal experimentations,hunting,trapping, fur farms, animal sports,bullfighting,rooster fighting, dogfighting, fishing, circuses that use animals, factory farms: where animals are castrated, ear and tail docked, teeth pulled all without anesthesia, worldwide annual animal sacrifices in India where thousands of animals are murdered along with other cultures that have them,the list goes on and on. This is not about religions, nationalities, people, creeds, traditions, customs, etc but about what is RIGHT and morally correct. Animals are living beings that are citizens of planet Earth that have every right to partake in the planetary life for themselves. The whole notion that God ordained animal sacrifices for the remission and forgiveness of sin is purely demonic. All of the above are the demonic activities that human beings invoke upon the animal kingdom. These horrors that animals endure everyday is unconscionable. You never ever hear about rabbis or preachers speak at the pulpit of these atrocities. Why? because it would put a chink in the armor of their beliefs of what the bible says as the infallible word. God has given every human being love, compassion, mercy, understanding, sympathy and a conscience that has been seared by the precepts of the bible that ordains the bloody slaughterhouse religions of animal sacrifices.

On March 19, 2012, Arlene wrote:

Shame on them! This is what you get when any institution is ruled by crabby old white men.

On March 19, 2012, Grady wrote:

All in the name of religion. Animal sacrifices are in part the biggest culprit of why animal abuse is rampid worldwide. We have animal sacrifices in the forms of: slaughterhouses,kosher killing,vivisection,animal experimentations,hunting,fishing,trapping,fur farms where animals are anally eloctrocuted or drowned,factory farms where animals are castrated,tail and ear docked, teeth pulled all without pain meds or anesthesia,animal sports worldwide: bullfighting,rooster fighting,dog fighting,canadian seal hunt where 10’s of thousands of baby harp seals are clubbed to death and often skinned alive while their wailing mothers sit on the ice helpless,circuses that use animals,the list of horrors of animal sacrifices goes on and on and on. I have never ever heard of a rabbi or preacher or any other clergy speak against the atrocities invoked upon the animal kingdom, Why? perhaps it would put a chinck in the armor of the so called infallible word of God and the 100% validity of the bible. We have annual animal sacrificed in India where thousands of animals are unmercifully murdered in the name of their religions. Animal sacrifices are purely demonic by which the devil and his unclean angels polluted the fertile minds of those who ordained these atrocities against the animals. God has given every human being the attributes of : love,compassion,mercy,and a conscience by which were taken over by the power of seducing spirits of satan that follow the teachings of animal sacrifices as an atonement and forgiveness of sins. Thousands upon thousands of cattle,lambs,goats,birds were slaughtered viciously as the blood sacrifice for the peoples sins. What a blood thirsty demon that ordained the commission of untold numbers of animals that died a violent and painful death. People need to wake up and speak against these atrocities especially the so called religious leaders. God is Love and compassion and mercy by which we should as human beings live the life as stewards of the animals. We should live our lives with a clear conscience with peace and harmony between humans and animals. We need to speak up against the slaughterhouse religions of the world that advocate the death warrants of animal sacrifices that started in the bible that we have in our world today. If we are ever to evolve as human beings we must first become humane beings. We must be the voice for the voiceless. We must not only help and protect each fellow human but also our animal brethen as well.

On March 19, 2012, Julie Andrew wrote:

Hypocrites practice what you preach.

On March 19, 2012, Eileen wrote:

I wonder what Saint Francis of Assisi would think of this kind of behavior.

On March 19, 2012, Alan wrote:

Apparently this church has forgotten what compassion is and that it is not to be limited to just humans. Guess they haven’t talked to God lately.

FoA comments:

Or ever.

On March 19, 2012, Eileen Day Cytryn wrote:

I wrote to them and said “Whatever you do to the least of our brothers, you do to me.” Ended with “God forgive you!” Thank you for letting me know. Ex-Virginia State Advisor! xo~

On March 19, 2012, William Scott wrote:

I don’t expect any better from orgy-nized religion so I am never disappointed.

“Be kind to animals… by not eating them”.

On March 19, 2012, Patrick Amori wrote:

this is a disgrace!!

On March 19, 2012, Eileen wrote:

I agree with all comments thus far. Sherry hits the nail on the head; the cats simply can’t afford the Catholic Church. Their policies, at best, are/have always been, do as I say, not as I do. And to never question anything. These so called “men of god”, “priests” seem to abide by their own laws with little concern for those truly in need. It is outrageous & disgusting, shame on them all!

On March 19, 2012, Simon Teolis wrote:

I’m sure St. Francis of Assissi would look kindly on you “Catholic Scum”!

On March 19, 2012, debbie kennedy wrote:

I can’t believe that someone supposedly of God could treat any living creature inhumanely. It wouldn’t kill you to show a lil mercy and feed the lil cats. After all, they are one of God’s creations. They are a living breathing creature with feelings just like you or I. They can’t possibly be hurting anything by being there.

On March 19, 2012, Raina Spaziani wrote:

What hypocrites!!! They live off the donations of parisioners and they refuse to help God’s creatures. Both priests should be removed. Let’s start a campaign to rid the city of such heartless men. They have no business taking the handouts of the church while they starve living creatures. They MUST go!!

On March 19, 2012, Hilda wrote:

If they were little boys they wouldn’t kick them off the property!! What happened to sanctuary!!

On March 19, 2012, Marsha wrote:

To the priest at St James church this is disgusting shame on you but I am not surprised. Priests have abused children and stolen millions from parishes What about the so called blessing of the animals on October 2? I suppose that is hypocritical . There are shelters that would take the cats . Since you want to starve the cats to deadth, why don’t you starve for lent ?

On March 19, 2012, Vonnie wrote:

Find their Facebook page & let the parishioners know what their church does. Also, use the email address provided at the end of the article and give the cats A VOICE. Please, venting here is not directed at them. They don’t read your posts here at Friends of Animals. If you want to save these cats & expose these sick people make it count & tell them.

On March 19, 2012, Andrea Sheptoff wrote:

And you say you are men of God? I don’t think so!

On March 19, 2012, Martha Milne wrote:

I am a Catholic and you make me feel ashamed to share your religion. What would Jesus do? These are God’s creatures that you are cruelly starving and please don’t doubt that this is a mortal sin upon your souls. I am praying to Jesus, Mary and all the saints that you find some compassion in your hearts and walk the walk of St. Francis of Assisi who loved all of God’s animals and treated them with surpassing kindness. There is nothing you can say to defend these actions, you can only change what you are doing and stop the pain, suffering and death of these animals. All you need to do is having them neutered and enlist the help of an animal rescue group to help you. There are many who would, including Friends of Animals. Again, I am praying for your souls and for the innocent cats that you are starving!

On March 20, 2012, Marre Prestigiacomo wrote:

I am appalled with what I have just read. I agree with Patricia!
What would Jesus or St Francis say to these two men?? What hypocrites they both are to call themselves Christians; to wear their collars and preach the word of God on Sunday and then deny Gods helpless; voiceless creatures a little care and comfort!! What is this world coming to when people turn their backs on the helpless be they animals or children!!

I can not believe that if they were to watch a cat die the long painful death of poison they would resort to such a heartless act! If they truly believe they would then they should leave the priest hood because they are not true men of God.

I pray that some how some way their hearts change.

Marre

On March 20, 2012, Gerard wrote:

The starvation of homeless innocent creatures and you are carriers of the word of God? May I suggest the nearest Confessional Box for each of you. I am sickened by your act of animal cruelty.

On March 20, 2012, Patricia Fontana wrote:

What is WRONG with these men?

On March 20, 2012, Julia wrote:

This is a disgrace! They have no right to preach to people about any kindness or sympathy when they turn around and do this. Everyone, please write or call them! They will have to respond to human laws and demands.

On March 20, 2012, Hercy Lord wrote:

Again - hypocrites! They “say” they love people and animals, but they will let some innocent animals STARVE. How can they sleep at night???? I am so appalled and disgusted and frankly, as a 69 year old life long non-believer who has been rescuing animals her entire life, I cannot understand how they can think that their God would put up with this. I will feed any animals that shows up at my house!

On March 20, 2012, Dimitrios wrote:

They are organs of Satan not God. If they believed in God they would have never done that to those poor kitties

On March 21, 2012, Mike Holodnak wrote:

These innocent beings have no home through no fault of their own. The Church should demonstrate compassion towards these animals not stave them.

On March 21, 2012, JC O'Connell wrote:

I am ashamed to be a Catholic when such aberrant and cruel behavior is practiced by priests. Saint Francis would not recognize these priests as his brothers. These priests are DEVILS.

On March 21, 2012, Mark C Stevens wrote:

I love animals and however being a father who has had several stray pets just forced on me per say by my compassionate children ….. I can see the dilemma these church officials are undergoing. However they are indeed doing the wrong thing.. for one most Laws if you feed the feral animals you indeed become responsible for them including rabies vaccines and microchipping if needed by that State…

“It is not against New York City law to feed feral and stray cats. In fact, New York State is unique for making it a criminal offense to deprive any animal, including feral cats, of necessary food or water. Agriculture & Markets Law, section 353, in defining cruelty to animals, provides that, “A person who … deprives any animal of necessary sustenance, food or drink, or neglects or refuses to furnish it such sustenance or drink, or causes, procures or permits any animal … to be deprived of necessary food or drink, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor….”

These cats need rescue not trolling the Catholic Church this has zero productive values whatsoever, these of these comments are very rabid and looking like CNN…

Someone in New York area needs simply to call the authorities and have the issue resolved….. so the crime of starving the animals stops and the church resume ownership responsibility and feeding or the cats removed humanely.

On March 22, 2012, mrs elayna cannata wrote:

They call themselves Christian???
What would Jesus do??

On March 23, 2012, michael fratangelo wrote:

I sent an email to father Gonsalves, the abomination they are doing hardly exudes what they have SUPPOSEDLY have learned from the example of St Francis

On March 23, 2012, AngeLsLuv wrote:

I hope that these priests go to hell like they say all of us will.. Get the cats out of there…

On March 23, 2012, Sharon Azar wrote:

Regarding the image of Jesus Christ holding a sheep, unfortunately, the Christian church sees images of Jesus and the sheep as a parable of god and his people. they do not see this image as a kind compassionate man caring for animals… many Christians/Catholics see animals as merely ‘put’ here for human use which frequently leads to abuse. So trying to touch their hearts with an image of JC caring for sheep will have no effect. they will simply raise their cruel eyebrows and laugh out of one side of their mean mouths.
I don’t know how one can reach a person (priest or otherwise) who has decided that cats are vermin. the only way to help these particular cats is to try in any way one can to get them out of that place.

Sharon

On March 23, 2012, Valerie wrote:

I say we all go to church on Sunday…this church and halfway through the sermon we put on cat masks and start meowing and begging for food. Who is with me?

On March 23, 2012, tracey wrote:

I believe In Recarnation: what goes around, comes a round. God will Never forgive you. These are God’s Creatures. Remember This Day ? 3/20/ 2012. May God be With you.

On March 24, 2012, GDiFonzo wrote:

I agree with Mark C. Stevens. Using NYC’s existing animal cruelty laws looks like a good way to handle this situation, and mudslinging does not. Simon Teolis’s comment about “Cstholic scum” was particularly ugly and should have been moderated prior to posting. As for the person who used the word “A-holes”…I thought there was a caveat on this page stating that “comments inappropriate for a readership of all ages may be deleted.” If you contact St. James’ Church, please remember that you are more likely to be listened to if you sound factual, reasonable, and polite but firm. Let’s keep it about the animals, not personal grudges.

On March 26, 2012, Peggy K. Schunk wrote:

The church should be shut down immediately.

On March 26, 2012, koeby wrote:

GOD CREATED THE CAT. ALL LIFE IS HIS TO GIVE AND TAKE…NO OTHER HAS THE RIGHT. KILLING IS EASY, SAVING LIFE MAY BE HARD, BUT JESUS TAUGHT US THAT, AND DIED FOR HIS BELIEF.A ‘CHURCH’ THAT KILLS IS NO CHURCH, AND IT’S DOORS SHOULD BE CLOSED.
THE BIBLE TEACHES US THAT GOD CARES ABOUT THE FEATHER OF A BIRD

On April 6, 2012, Wendy wrote:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, clearly states, “Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals… . It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly.” I do not think the starving of feral cats fits within this teaching.


Pope John Paul II proclaimed that “the animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren.” He went on to say that all animals are “fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect” and that they are “as near to God as men are.” I do not think his late Holiness would approve the Church of St James starving the cats living within its protection.



Pope Benedict XVI has spoken movingly about the exploitation of all beings, particularly of farmed animals. When asked about the rights of animals in a 2002 interview, he said, “That is a very serious question. At any rate, we can see that they are given into our care, that we cannot just do whatever we want with them. Animals, too, are God’s creatures … .”

I would like to see a follow-up to this story so we know what is happening now.

On May 2, 2012, Jennifer Barski wrote:

This church is disgusting and should be shut down ASAP! I hope these priests go to Hell like they always tell us.

On June 27, 2012, DJ Martinez wrote:

Really? You would think that priests, who say they love God and all of Creation, would not be doing stuff like that. That makes God, Christians, Jews, and Muslims all look bad. These priests should be ashamed of themselves and be demoted or removed from office.