The first provisional Constitution of the Study Circle was published in the first issue of The Ark, 1937, and the Aims then were described as ‘To study the nature and the ethical consequences of man’s relation to the animal world according to the traditional and authoritative teaching of the Catholic Church.’
At the 2003 AGM the name of the society was changed to Catholic Concern for Animals and the most recent Revision to the Constitution was passed, subsequently approved by the Charity Commission. The objects of the society are now defined as: ‘the advancement of Christian respect and responsibility for the animal creation with special reference to Catholic teaching and beliefs’.
The Constitution explains how this is to be done – by:
I. The study and investigation of traditional Catholic teaching concerning the nature of man’s relation to the animal world and the formulation and publication of that traditional teaching.
II. The study and investigation of practical questions of animal welfare in all its aspects in the light of the traditional teaching of the Church and the publication and dissemination of the results of such study and investigation.
III. The spiritual improvement of mankind by advocating and emphasizing the positive Catholic teaching on the duties of Christian behaviour and conduct towards animals.
IV. The sharing of examples of good practice in relation to and information on animal welfare and the environment conducted by people of other religions and beliefs, or of none.
V. The taking of all such other actions as may be necessarily conducive or incidental to the achievement of the foregoing primary object and may be done lawfully by a body established for charitable purposes only under the law of England.
