Andrew Linzey 
Animal Rites 
Liturgies of Animal Care

Christians believe that the logos is the source of all life, yet Christian worship remains unashamedly human-centric. The world of creation, and animals in particular, is almost invisible in our worship. The churches do not have the liturgical means of celebrating the life of animals, giving thanks for their companionship, praying for the relief of their suffering, or marking their death.

This unique book provides a variety of liturgies that are animal-friendly and animal-inclusive. They include services in celebration of animal companionship, services for animal welfare, healing liturgies, new eucharistic prayers ‘for the
whole creation, ‘ and animal burial services. Underlying all these new forms is a serious theological purpose: to help us to draw deeper into the mystery of God’s work in creation and to affirm other sentient beings as co-creatures with us.

About the author

Andrew Linzey has been described as ‘the greatest living writer on theology and animals’ by Bishop John Austin Baker. He is the director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics and a member of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Oxford. He has written or edited more than twenty books, including Animal Theology, Creatures of the Same God, and Why Animal Suffering Matters. He is also the author of Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care and the coeditor of Animals and Christianity: A Book of Readings, both published by Wipf and Stock.Check out my profile video on Oxford Animal Ethics!