Bishop urges French to eat chicken for Lent, despite bird flu scare

Published: 2006-03-09

DAX, France (CNS) -- A French bishop has urged citizens to eat as much chicken as possible during Lent as a "sign of solidarity" with local farmers during the current avian influenza scare. "The government and the experts never stop insisting the consumption of poultry carries no risk ... to the population -- despite this, consumption is noticeably falling," said Bishop Philippe Breton of Aire and Dax, in the Landes region of France. "In these worrying circumstances, it is important that the people of Landes stay close to those facing this ordeal. Everyone should find the most judicious means of coping and acting." In a statement read at Masses March 4-5, the bishop said the livelihood of local farmers was "at great risk," while many faced "serious financial problems" and the loss of jobs "at very short notice." Once the virus is discovered, birds often are slaughtered to prevent its spread. "As bishop, I ask Catholics to use sense, maintain their traditional eating habits and carry on consuming poultry normally," said the bishop, who has headed the southwestern diocese since 2002.

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