Cape Town - An unlikely troop of four-legged congregants filed into St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town on Sunday morning.
Dogs, cats, and even a horse came to church to receive a blessing for animals for St Francis Day. Preacher Frank Molteno organised the service and delivered the sermon.
“Let’s thank God for the animals with whom we live and pray for God’s blessing upon them,” he said. “Let’s honour, respect and pray for all God’s creatures, humans and animals.”
Working carthorse Violet had the day off to come to church.
Penny Lankester, from the Cart Horse Protection Association, said she chose Violet to represent carthorses in church because of her calm and gentle nature. She works with the association to make sure working horses aren’t abused and helps to train their drivers and owners.
"There were cats and dogs in the church, so it was nice to have an equine representative.”
St Francis of Assisi was made patron saint of ecologists in 1979 because during his life he treated the natural world like his own family and had a special affinity for animals.
Congregant Peter Conradie carried Spotty, 17, into the church, because the small dog’s hind legs are struggling in his old age. Praying over him is the Conradies' way of making peace with their beloved pet’s failing health.
“He’s nearing his time, so we thought this was a good way to bless him and pray for miracles,” Conradie said.
Conradie said the blessing had helped him to accept the process of letting Spotty go.Marie-Anne Wannenberg brought her cat, Huey. “I think it’s important for our animals to be blessed,” she said.