The annual ASWA Remembrance Service for Animals was held on Sunday 13th November 2022 at 3.00pm at the Animals in War Memorial in Park Lane, London.
The service was organised by the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals (ASWA) and was led by their Vice President (and AIA director) Rev. Prof. Fr Martin Henig (right) and Rev. Samantha Chandler (left). The guest speaker was Jenny Seagrove, actor and founding trustee of Mane Chance Sanctuary.
(Left: wreaths laid at memorial. Right: Dr Christina Nellist, Founder of Pan-Orthodox Concern for Animals and director of AIA, laying the AIA wreath)
(Left: AIA wreath. Right: Dedication to animals on AIA wreath)
ANIMAL INTERCESSIONS 2022 by Rev. Prof. Fr Martin Henig
The following Animal Intercessions were read at the memorial:
Father, we remember today all those animals, who have suffered as a result of armed conflict. On the anniversary of the Armistice at the end of First World War, we recall with sorrow the countless animals, all individuals created like us by God, used by humans and many of them killed in that conflict and those killed in the Second World War and in subsequent wars, all of them specifically commemorated on this monument. We also remember the animals of many species caught up in battle in that war, the Second World War and subsequent wars, killed and maimed or living shattered lives as victims of an environment destroyed by battle.
Lord hear us.
Lord graciously hear us.
Father, we especially pray today for the horses, companions of soldiers and victims of war over the centuries since Biblical times, employed by men in their countless wars. We remember the millions killed in the First World War as well as horses serving in the forces today, including those trained for the Police or fulfilling demanding ceremonial roles. We pray for serving horses and ask that horses at the end of their working lives are well treated. We pray that horses, as companions and helpers may enjoy the love and respect that they deserve, whether they are war horses or are amongst those who serve humans in other capacities.
Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us.
Father, we pray horses, donkeys, dogs, cats and all the companion animals who have lost their lives, have been maimed or have had their lives disrupted in recent wars, in Syria, in Afghanistan, and since our last service of Remembrance here, particularly in Ukraine. We pray for their safety alongside their human friends and protectors. We pray for all who try to protect and nurture terrified creatures in time of conflict.
Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us.
Father we pray for all creatures whose habitat is being destroyed on the land and in the seas as the result of warfare, victims of human sin, human selfishness, human inability to live at peace with each other as Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ demands. We recall with sorrow our broken covenant with you when we disobeyed your command to be loving stewards, gentle guardians of your entire creation, and ask for your forgiveness as we pledge ourselves to do better.
Lord hear us
Lord graciously hear us.
Heavenly Father, as we hear the Last Post sounding, we recall those groans of creation which reach you from victimised animals as they do from victimised humans. We continue to live with faith in the hope that all flesh will be redeemed, and that on that glorious day the swords of war will be beaten into ploughshares and the spears of hatred into pruning hooks, and we will at last live in peace with one another and with all the other animals, our brothers and sisters, those of the land, of the water and of the air, in your Heavenly Kingdom.
Amen.
A short period of reflection will follow.
Animal Interfaith Alliance 