Man, a creature like any other?

The One Health Summit, which will take place in Lyon on April 6 and 7 (read p. 18), shows our interdependence with the entire living world. Scientists advance research by adopting a global approach: our health depends on that of animals and ecosystems.

And how do we see ourselves? In Genesis, man is created on the same day as other mammals. In a second story, he is modeled from “clay”. The Bible thus reminds us that as creatures, we are part of a universe that combines the animal, plant and mineral kingdoms. Francis of Assisi, whose 800th anniversary of death we will celebrate in October, was a precursor, he who invited his contemporaries to call the animal “brother” and the earth “sister”. Today, a thirst to reconnect with living things is expressed, particularly in the search for more ecological lifestyles.

This quest can, however, lead to confusion about the respective places of man and animal. Veterinarians are alarmed to see more and more pet owners considering themselves the “father” or “mother” of their four-legged companion, a phenomenon called “pet parenting.” » Finding the right balance is delicate, because although God created us in his image, we are not quite creatures like others. As Lent draws to a close, let us trust the Scriptures to open for us a path of righteous and joyful communion with Creation.