ANIMALS IN HEAVEN?

Question from a young adult:
ive heard there r no stupid questions
well i guess its not a ?
its just that what do u say to friends that get mad when u tell them animals dont have sould
its amazing how peolpe r so sensitive with that issue like this person told me he thought less of me for thinking that way



Answer:
I love animals. Always have, always will. Although there was a time I was not a big fan of cats, I have since atoned for my 'cat pranks' and I now believe in treating all animals with respect and dignity as they are certainly God's creations. Whenever a pet dies I cry like a baby. My two dogs mean the world to me. They are two of my best friends and I miss them when I am away from home. One of my favorite Saints is St. Francis of Asissi, who, among other things, is the patron saint of animals and the founder of the Franciscans.

From Catholic theology we know that humans, animals, and plants all have souls. A human's soul is a spirit and therefore is immortal. However, the souls of animals and plants, as St. Thomas Aquinas noted, are material principles. Therefore the souls of animals and plants die when the animal or plant dies.

This does not mean that animals or plants are unimportant, but it does mean that other animals are not as important as human beings. Humans are created in the image of God. This does not mean we look like God in a physical way, but it means that we share eternal qualities with God. Such as the fact that we have a soul, are capable of rationale thought and are able to either love or reject love freely. Human beings, unlike other animals, are able to reason rather than simply respond to instinct. Also, when God put humans in the Garden, he gave man dominion over all the plants and animals. As you continue through the Old Testament, you will find God actually COMMANDING man to sacrifice and eat animals. We also know that Jesus was a jew and therefore he took part in the passover supper where they ate lamb, so contrary to what some believe, Jesus was not a vegetarian.

Anyway, my point is that man is more important than other animals, but that does not give us as humans permission to be cruel to animals. They are there for us to use. We can use them as companions (pets), as food (mmmmm hamburger) or as labor (horses, etc) but never as cruel amusement/entertainment.

Lastly, many theologians, including St. Thomas Aquinas taught that animals will not be in Heaven. Yet in reading the Book of Revelation you see that there are references to animals (such as horses) and so I don't think it is possible to completely rule out the possibility of animals being in heaven but at the same time, I don't expect to be reunited with every pet I have ever lost.

God created animals and all His creations are good. Animals bring us much joy and I hope they continue to bring us joy in Heaven is some way, but we just won't know until we get there.

Be Proud to Be Catholic

Pete