Fish-free Lent?
Sir – We generally consider Lent as a time for “giving up something”. In pursuit of broadening our Lenten horizons, the faithful could consider giving up unhelpful notions and prejudices and, in turn, choose to abstain from the consumption of that which is not ours in the first place – namely, the flesh of fish and other animals. Extending compassion and kindness to all is inherent not only to the Christian faith, but to the essence of what it means to be human. The mutual respect we owe each other and to all our fellow creatures who, like us, are living, breathing beings and with whom we share the planet, invites us to appreciate our mutual qualities and to accept – and even to celebrate – our differences. An ethical, animal-free lifestyle celebrates a bounty of fresh produce without causing harm. Moreover, leaving animals off our tables isn’t about “giving up” anything; rather, it is a deliberate decision to choose no longer to take that which was never ours – and thus is not a hardship but a joy. In a spirit of Christian charity and empathy, I suggest that Lent is the perfect time to advocate for our fellow non-human beings, in the name of the One who was crucified and rose again.
