[Wmshyrga]

Man has been given that innate sense of responsibility for creation which includes tending and caring for it. Of course the debate is ongoing about whether certain practices really tend or care for or whether they are abusive; but this is part of the larger point that as humans we are always in a relationship to creation. There is no way in which we can extricate ourselves from this relationship.

The other side of this relationship though is also important to keep in mind; for it is often overlooked in the contemporary discussions of this question. ie animals themselves are also innately attracted towards us. That in fact is how domestication of animals first occurred. Therefore from this attraction comes a responsibility towards such creatures.

In Christ- Fr Raphael