To All:

When I read that your Catholic (that is still a Christian faith isn't it?) High School students' trip to Spain included their seeing and supporting a bullfight I was outraged!  The Catholic Church has worked hard to shed its scandals of late, but then your staff members use such gross judgment in allowing impressionable teenagers to view the cruel "blood sport" of bullfighting on their trip.  How does a person of faith actually justify that in their mind?  What are you thinking?  Are you telling me that they actually have to physically support this event to understand this ugly/dark part of the Spanish culture?  Couldn't you have just shown them some SHARK (animal rights group protecting livestock) videos that are very graphic in its proof of the cruelties inflicted on livestock, particularly those used for entertainment by the greedy and barbaric?

GOD's creatures are to be treated humanely.  We are the stewards of these animals and to know the depth of cruel treatments foisted on these magnificent bulls PRIOR to their entrance into the ring of death is very disturbing, yet you close your eyes to these truths.  Then you encourage your students to watch and support these horrendous treatments which is beyond disturbing, it's plain abusive to these young adults.

Mobbed by a gang of cowards, confused and terrified beyond words, repeatedly stabbed with spears, harpoons and a sword, exhausted and dying from his wounds and blood loss and unable to continue any further, Bright Eyes lowers in an act of complete submission.

Are you people so out of touch with your moral and loving insides that you stoop to the old excuse that "it's part of a culture" that is being learned, hence it's acceptable to watch? Thank GOD you're not visiting an ancient Aztec ruin.........they sacrificed children on a pretty regular basis then!!  Perhaps you would even allow your students to experience that piece of culture if it was within your capabilities?  Don't grimace.........to my sensibilities you are perpetrating an abuse of your own.  You don't know how this viewing will affect this young people and how it may perpetuate more abuses on animals from the hands of your own students.

Mobbed by a gang of cowards, confused and terrified beyond words, repeatedly stabbed
with spears, harpoons and a sword, exhausted and dying from his wounds and blood loss
and unable to continue any further, Bright Eyes lowers in an act of complete submission.

Are you going to be honest and tell them that these animals are beaten about their kidneys to weaken them; have lubricants put in their eyes so they can't see; the muscles in their backs are cut; the muscles in their necks are also cut to prevent them from lifting their heads?  Or are you going to sanitize this experience beyond what it really is............barbaric heathens beating down a majestic bull in order to render it indefensible?  Yeah..............what a culture that is!!  We're waaayyy past that kind of culture in this new millennium, or at least I thought we were.

As an animal rescuer, it sickens me that you will treat this event as an academic learning tool, instead of teaching your students to stand up and denounce bullfights from our earth.  Kind and loving Spaniards are trying to do just that.  Too bad our Catholic leaders are so twisted as to not progress with the rest of civilized people.  One more strike against the Catholic church!! I hope you find yourselves at the mercy of angry parents when their kids come home disturbed by what they observe.

SHARK's website:
http://www.sharkonline.org/

Stacy Polk
Animal Rescuer/Volunteer
Lover of all of God's Creatures