PETA Asks Catholic Bishops to Suggest a Vegan Diet for Lent

A Plant-Based Diet Saves All Creation--It Is the 'Christian Thing to Do'

For Immediate Release:
February 10, 2010

Contact:
Bruce Friedrich 757-622-7382

Chicago -- With Lent approaching, PETA sent a letter today to the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops asking him to urge all bishops to adopt a vegan diet during the 40-day period of self-reflection and encourage their parishioners to do the same. PETA is also asking that any church-sponsored events during the Lenten season be Earth- and animal-friendly.

"Each person who chooses a vegan diet saves the lives of more than 100 animals every year," says PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich. "During this time of introspection, adopting a vegan diet is the Christian thing to do."

PETA contends that a vegan diet is the best way to honor God's animals, the Earth, and human beings. A diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and grains is beneficial to human health, reducing the risk of debilitating and sometimes deadly ailments such as heart attacks, strokes, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure. Veganism is also healthy for the planet: It takes much more water and energy to support a meat-based diet than a plant-based one, and animal agriculture is extremely polluting. For animals, factory farms and slaughterhouses are a virtual hell on Earth where violence and bloodshed reign. Animals on factory farms are routinely mutilated, beaten, kicked, prodded, and dragged.

Pope Benedict XVI said, "Animals, too, are God's creatures, and even if they do not have the same direct relation to God that man has, they are creatures of His will, creatures we must respect as companions in creation." 

PETA hopes to encourage bishops to make the link between veganism and the Christian teachings of mercy and peace.

PETA's letter to the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is available upon request. For more information, please visit PETA's blog.