In Theory:

The Los Angeles Times reported Feb. 2 that a church in Westchester, Covenant Presbyterian Church, allows congregants to bring their dogs to Sunday night services. The church’s pastor, the Rev. Tom Eggebeen, told The Times that the idea is to make congregants feel more comfortable attending Covenant Presbyterian by bringing along their four-footed companions who might be considered as family members. According to the article, the presence of dogs at church services is part of a trend by churches to recognize the bond between people and their pets. As a religious leader in the community, do you think that it’s appropriate to allow pets into worship services? Would you open your doors to congregants’ pooches, cats, goldfish or other non-human household occupants? In short, does Fluffy belong there?

Bizarre. And why stop at dogs? Why not a congregation of purring cats, chirping birds and twitching rabbits with whom their owners have “bonded.”

Many people are devoted to their pets, lavishing care upon them, grateful for their companionship and affectionate responses. Animals are to be treated with respect and compassion. We have special responsibilities to them and an animal’s rights are to be upheld.

But animals are not human beings, and welcoming them to worship services contributes to the blurring of distinctions. While we recognize that we share much in common with animals, we must be on guard to preserve the essential distinctions between man, created in God’s image, and animals that are of a far lower order of creation. There is nothing wrong with loving an animal, but a line has to be drawn. An animal cannot be a part of one’s “family.”

The Bible teaches a relative hierarchy of created life. Our society has veered from the Scriptural vision by ascribing a unique dignity and worth to animals while devaluing human beings. I have heard people say, “My dog is not just an animal.”

Oh, but it is.

Rabbi Mark S. Miller

Temple Bat Yahm of Newport Beach

Luke Haynes, our golden retriever, is certainly and completely a member of our family. Like other family members, Luke seems satisfied coming to church once a year; for him, this is when we bless all critters to celebrate Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi the first Sunday in October. He does love coming to church Saturday evenings to help me prepare for Sunday mornings.

Luke sits, shakes and lies down on request, and responds to “come” and “stop”; but I’ve not been able to get him to “bow,” “kneel” or... “genuflect.”

We honor two-legged beloveds who say that having pets nearby affects their allergies but graciously acquiesce to desires of others to bring loved pets to Sunday morning worship here once a year. Many will be here Oct. 3, when we will share worship with and bless dogs, cats, hamsters, bunnies, fish, turtles, snakes, iguanas, tarantulas, ants, pigs, horses — whichever of his critters God sends our way.

(The Very Rev.’d Canon) Peter D. Haynes

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, Corona del Mar

We often joke our that congregation is filled with cats because herding them can be quite challenging! And while we almost got a church cat to help keep the mice away, we haven’t actually opened up church to the animals.

However, we always considered Eddie, a seeing-eye dog for one of our members, a part of our Fairview Family. While his circumstance is different as a working dog, he was certainly a welcome addition to our diverse congregation. We’ve never discussed the idea of intentionally inviting non-working animals to come to church, though we’ve considered a special “Blessing of the Animals” service.

Our intention is to always be open and inclusive, but we also want to be sure that we’re not subjecting someone with allergies to potential aggravation. At this time we have no policy, but perhaps we should consider an intentional invitation to our furry friends. I’m sure my moderator’s cat will be first in line: I just hope he doesn’t take a cat-nap during my sermon!

The Rev. Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church, Costa Mesa

On Oct. 3, we extend an open invitation to parishioners and those in the neighborhood to bring their pets to the field for a blessing. Oct. 4 is the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. The turnout is heavy, and it’s always a joyous occasion. But inviting people to bring their pets (outside of seeing-eye dogs) to Holy Mass is not something I can foresee happening.

I think the practical concerns are obvious, including the distractions that might be caused as others spend more time admiring pets than focusing on God’s Word and the Eucharistic celebration. Better to leave the pets at home, spend an hour or so at church, and then give your pets the attention they need when you return. The Lord is truly present and will fill any void one might experience due to missing their pet.

Fr. Stephen Doktorczyk

St. Joachim Church, Costa Mesa