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Published : Saturday, March 12, 2011 00:00

Article Views : 47

LAST Wednesday, March 9, we commemorated Ash Wednesday which

ushered in the start of the Lenten Season. As customary it is for us Catholic faithful to observe
our penitential abstinence from meat in all Fridays during the season lent as a day of self-denial
and mortification in prayerful remembrance of the passion of Jesus Christ, DZRV Radyo Veritas
846 launched this Lenten Season it¶s NO MEAT FRIDAY National Campaign whereby it
encourages all Catholic faithful to reexamine the prevailing ³signs of the times´ and to consider
offering all Fridays throughout the year, as a time to be mindful of our personal sins and the sins
of mankind which we are called upon to help make amends in union with Christ crucified
through our continued abstinence from meat.

Over and above the documented health, economic, social and environmental benefits of
abstaining from meat during all Fridays; this crusade spearheaded by Radyo Veritas (under the
leadership of its president, Rev. Fr. Anton C.T. Pascual) heartens us to rekindle the sacred value
of such a personal undertaking which reminds us that as Christians, although immersed in the
world and sharing its life, we must preserve a saving and necessary difference from the spirit of
the world. Our deliberate, personal abstinence from meat will be an outward sign of inward
spiritual values that we cherish.

Health Argument: The World Cancer Research Fund recommended limiting the consumption of
red meat such as beef, pork and chicken because of its convincing link with colorectal and bowel
cancer, breast cancer in women, heart diseases and obesity.

Economic Argument: In a published research, a comparison of the plant-based foods to the

animal-based foods reveals that obtaining nutrients from plants is much cheaper than Obtaining
the same nutrients from meat or dairy products. Obtaining a kcal of energy from the cheapest
meat product (broilers) is five times more costly than Obtaining a kcal from the most expensive
plant-based product (peanuts). A similar result is true for protein. Obtaining a gram of protein
from the cheapest meat product (broilers) is 3.26 times more costly than obtaining a gram of
protein from the most expensive plant-based product (peanuts). These cost differences are
remarkable when one considers that suggested daily energy and protein intake is about 2,000
kcal and 100 grams, respectively.

Social Argument: An online source argues that some groups, such as PETA, promote not eating
meat as a way to offset poor treatment and working conditions of workers in the contemporary
meat industry. These groups cite studies showing the psychological damage caused by working
in the meat industry, especially in factory and industrialized settings, and argue that the meat
industry violates its laborers¶ human rights by assigning difficult and distressing tasks without
adequate counseling, training and debriefing. However, the same online article likewise
stipulates that the working conditions of agricultural workers as well, particularly non-permanent
workers remain poor and well below conditions prevailing in other economic sectors. Accidents,
including pesticide poisoning, among farmers and plantation workers contribute to increased
health risks, including increased mortality. In fact, according to the International Labor
Organization, agriculture is one of the three most dangerous jobs in the world.

Environmental Argument: The UN Environment Program International Panel for Sustainable

Resource Management concludes that the world must reduce meat consumption to prevent
climate change.

Together with our collective and personal initiatives towards ³NO MEAT FRIDAYS´, this
national campaign and initiative likewise edifies us to take this opportunity to do works of
charity and exercises of piety from whatever resources we are able to attain from our penitential
abstinence from meat. This enables our act of sacrifice to find holism which disposes us to love
God above all creatures, and to love ourselves and our neighbors for the sake of God. In faith,
our acts of charity mirrors our love of neighbor, since they are children of God; since they are
our brothers and our sisters, members of the same human family; and since they have the same
nature, dignity, destiny, and needs as ourselves.

May Mary, our dear Mother, be our constant companion and strength as we pursue this
penitential act of sacrifice in unity with Jesus Christ our Lord in this blessed season of Lent.

***

For any personal comments or suggestions you may call 0917-4805585 or email me at
csorita@yahoo.com.

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