TORONTO, ON, December 7, 2010 – The Catholic Civil Rights League today called on People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to consider the anti-religious message given by its recent campaign.
PETA doctored a picture of the pope to appear as if he’s tossing a condom to a crowd, and says it has launched an international tour of Catholic institutions with leaflets saying, “Dogs & Cats Can’t Use Condoms. We Are in the Midst of an Unholy Animal Overpopulation Crisis. Spay or Neuter Today.”
In an e-mail to PETA, League Executive Director Joanne McGarry noted that the campaign is in poor taste and has anti-Catholic overtones.
“To alter the photograph of any public figure by putting a personal product into their hands is in bad taste. In this case, it can also be interpreted as an effort to mock Catholic teaching. It’s unlikely that you would take a similarly free hand with other religions, but singling out Catholicism in a negative way never seems to lose its appeal.
“It’s too bad that a good message about animal welfare is lost under all the bad taste. You’ve already lost one animal lover and will probably lose many more with this campaign,” said Ms. McGarry.
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization and has chapters across Canada. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information: Joanne McGarry, Executive Director, 416-466-8244; joanne.mcgarry@ccrl.ca