The diocesan commission for the Exposition of the Shroud looked over the new Peta (People for the ethical treatment of animals) international campaign. The image of the Shroud has been used by Peta without any notification to the Commission or to the pontifical keeper.

The Commission expressed disapproval for this arbitrary behaviour. The fact that An image that ancient religious traditions hold as a link of the deepest feelings between the faithful and the Saviour was used to promote an advertising campaign. This is a sign of bad taste and also of lack of respect toward the feelings many people may have.

Speaking of the hypothesis that Jesus was vegetarian, those statements have no correspondence in history. In fact Jesus took part to the Easter banquet, where lamb meat was usually to be eaten. This is not to contrast the issues vegetarians bring to their cause, but just to confirm that they have nothing to do with the reality of the Gospel. So it is not appropriate to use unscrupulously images that should communicate a very different message.

E-MAIL: press.sindone@torino.chiesacattolica.it