www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Priests and Hunting

I'm sorry, but I think I read this on some thread on this board, but can't find it. So, my apologies if this has already been asked.

Can priests go hunting?

Coming from a rural hunting background, I'm curious, because I've read about RCC priest hunters, but I thought I read somewhere here that Eastern priests cannot hunt....

Thanks!

Nathan "Still Haven't Bagged a Trophy" Johnson

As I recall, Western clergy may hunt, but in theory, the chase is forbidden. OTOH, many of the worldly clergy of the Middle Ages and Renaissance enjoyed both hunting and the chase - Popes and Cardinals included.

why couldn't they?

Dear Friends,

There is a story about this in the life of St Josaphat of Polotsk.

He entered the city of Kiev to visit the Caves Monastery when he was accosted by an Orthodox monk on his way out to hunt . . .

The monk recognized the "soul-snatcher" and wanted to punch him etc.

St Josaphat told him to calm down as he was just there to venerate the relics of the Caves Father-Saints.

So the monk let him go by. As he went, St Josaphat turned around and said, "And where is it written in the Rules of St Basil that a monk may hunt animals?"

Alex

Are they allowed to eat that which is hunted too? How about those products from cows that are humanely butchered with V-type guillotines at the meat house? A bullet is much more humane that wrenching a neck like they used to do with chickens. My mother used to have to wrench chickens' necks as a child.

I say priests can hunt.

Joe

I love hunting! In fact last week I killed 1 deer and 2 wild pigs. All the meat that I could get is in my freezer right now. I ALWAYS eat what I kill.

If a priest eats meat then why can't a priest go hunting? Please explain this to me.

I'm not sure I have this right, but you have to think "middle ages" when it wasn't a question of clergy/laity, but 3 classes, noble, clergy, peasants. Peasants also were forbidden to hunt, it being a 'noble' privilege. For that reason, it was seen as 'unsuited' to the clergy who (then, and perhaps now) had to be cautious about identifying themselves with the nobility, and associating with the priviledged classes. It was unseemly for clergy, but I don't think it had anything to do with 'animal rights' or the modern anti-hunting lobby. It was a class thing.

Later on, another class emerged in the post-feudal towns and cities... tradesmen, guildsmen (as they used to call them), perhaps now we might say "businessmen"! This new growing class replaced the old order, and at that time it was forbidden for clergy to engage in business, dealings for profit, etc. etc., for much the same reason. It is not the 'order' of things. (as the Jem'Hadar used to say).

the unworthy,
Elias

Thanks!

Ok, I guess from the answers on this board, as far as everyone know, priests ARE allowed to hunt.

Personally, I just go deer hunting, and everyone once in a while, I'll do a little squirril hunting.

The average priest presumably CAN go hunting - that is to say, he is capable of doing so. However, he MAY NOT go hunting - that is to say, he is forbidden to do so. One quite possible reason for this prohibition is the danger of killing a human being (it happens quite frequently in hunting accidents).

Incognitus the Culture Vulture

Dear Friends,

And I say that hunting by priests or monastics is simply not in keeping with the spirit of their vocation.

I also say that hunting is a cruel thing for any Christian to practice - but that is a voluntary thing.

As for the inhumane treatment of animals, that is simply that - inhumane and we should fight that in our society.

I was once very good with a rifle - quite good in fact.

I went out to hunt with friends and then shot a bird down.

When I saw the victim of my shooting, I vowed then and there to never do that again. I also repented of that act of cruelty and sinfulness on my part.

Alex

I can't say that I don't feel a little sad when I kill an animal, but it reminds that the meat I usually eat does not appear out of nowhere, but comes from an animal that once was living...a circle of life kind of deal.

Hunting is not for everyone, but I've told myself if I ever quit hunting I would become a vegetarian, because I would feel a hypocrite to say that hunting is wrong, but still feel fine eating meat from a butcher/slaughterhouse. (wow, that was a long sentence)

The Bible does not forbid the eating of meat, and I don't see any difference if you are the one that kills the animal, or someone else is.

Anyways, just my 2 cents.

I know of a few priests(Latin Rite)who fly fish...it provides a little meditation and enjoyment...though St. Peter did have some bad days...

james

James, mi compadre:

St. Peter did have some bad days as a fisherman, frustratingly with empty nets to no end!

But he did comparatively well in his new vocation as a "fisher of men"!

Amado

If you want to grill it you gotta kill it.

What difference is there between shooting an animal to eat and having the butcher cut its throat for you or cutting it yourself?

Are priests forbidden from slaughtering animals as well? If not I think the prohibiton against hunting is silly.

Dear Fr. Deacon Lance (the Hunter),

Did I say laity are forbidden from these activities?

But priests and monastics are in a slightly different category - did you yourself not remind a poster once about the proper way to address you as a Deacon?

Professional wrestling and boxing are two other activities priests shouldn't engage in - unless they really need to do some serious fundraising for their parish . . .

This is not to say that priests shouldn't know the fundamentals of self-defence.

Some parishes are located in neighbourhoods where they have to send in the SWAT patrol just to pick up the garbage . . .

Alex