AN animal rights charity has suggested the Bishop of Burnley should resign over the comments he made about a memorial service for a cat.

The Right Reverend Phillip North, Bishop of Burnley, had condemned a funeral service held by Southwark Cathedral in London for resident cat Doorkins Magnificat who had lived there for over a decade and who died on September 30.

The bishop branded the service as disrespectful and queried if it was ‘a joke.’
Speaking after the service which took place on Thursday, he said: “Is this a joke? I do hope so. If not it’s grossly insensitive to bereaved families and those ministering to them in the North West under the regional coronavirus restrictions.”

Southwark Cathedral dean Andrew Nunn meanwhile admitted that the service was unusual. 

He told the congregation: “In more normal times, we often host memorial services for the great and the good. But I don’t think there’s ever been a service for a cat.”
However, Bishop North’s comments have been condemned by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) charity who described his comments as ‘unchristian.’

PETA spokesperson Jennifer White said: “How can he possibly think, much less say, such a thing? Honouring the life of a beloved animal takes nothing away from those who have lost loved ones in this pandemic or in any other way. 

“For those who knew, cared for, and loved Doorkins Magnificat, the service provided a chance to mourn and remember this wonderful cat who drew people to the cathedral, brought joy to so many, and was no less a parishioner because she had four legs rather than two.”

She added: “The central tenet of Christianity is kindness towards all of God’s creatures, including those who have fur, feathers, or fins. If the Bishop doesn’t understand that, we ask that he resign from a post that he’s not fit to hold.”

PETA has a Christian outreach arm called LAMBS, named after the Biblical quote Least Among My Brothers and Sisters.

For more information, visit: https://www.petalambs.com/.