May the Lord have mercy on the souls of the animals. Because Australia doesn't!.

A Blessing by a priest is not enough! We have blessings of animals in some churches, but they only usually bless pets, serving parisheners' interests. Other animals such as livestock are ignored. They are commercial animals, bound for their dinner tables. The worst fate for livestock would have to be to endure such horrific and deadly voyages, then have to face the brutality of the overseas anarchy! Kevin Rudd does not care for animals.

Poor things, they will need it!!

Historically the sheep have been the well spring of Australia's prosperity. As living, feeling creatures, they deserve better from us. Surely there must be some way to safeguard economic security for the farmers while extending some genuine Australian compassion to a creature which helped to make this country a nation. I support Father Mostowik's stand. The challenge, however, is in realising that the sheep is not just a commodity but a living creature worthy of respect and maybe even a little kindness. When that breakthrough in perception occurs then maybe people can work together to safeguard both the sheep and the farm.

I'm totally against live exports (and I think it's very kind what this Priest has done) - but come on... "If a Christian priest has the courage to do what he can do to help these animals then Rudd must stop turning a blind eye." Stupid comments like these just trivialise what is a very real and important issue... Please don't make it more difficult for campaigners against animal cruelty - we aren't being taken seriously as it is - ridiculous arguments like this really don't help.

I never knew sheep were catholic. Every time they pee or crap on me or grind my toes or stomp on their mates, i tend to think of them as pagan heretics.

Our country appears to be gaining the reputation of being a world leader in animal cruelty, due to the support of this brutal live trade of Australia's farm animals. Shame on the Rudd Government and all those who support the cruelty of live export.

We can never have PEACE in this earth because of people like "the farmer" above who never take things seriously and believe that animals are God's creation and they deserve to have a life like us humans do. They do not choose to die, the people murder them. May all of these animal be blessed! Bless the Animals! Give Peace A Chance!

That someone from an animal liberation group would be acclaiming the blessing as in some way endorsing their occultic philosophy and actions is a poke in the eye for hard, decent, moral, honest farmers. The ABC TV Landline programme of Sunday 10th August broadcast the Commonwealth Government's emphatic rebuttal of any extremist animal rights (welfare) groups particularly in relation to live cattle exports. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Tony Burke assured cattle farmers that the Government would not be 'appeasing' any group who wants to deny exporters the right to sell their product overseas, including live animal exports. Mr Burke testified that the Government was pleased with the progress in welfare considerations in the live export industry. Of course we bless animals being marketed for food because we are grateful to God for the ability we have in this country to help feed the world. But we must never bless the occultic philosophies and actions - some of which are illegal and cause personal harm and injury, of the animal liberationists. After all their (animal liberationists) chief teacher says "a healthy pig has more of a right to life than a disabled child". The next thing they will be saying is that only a certain type of human being deserves food - and they will, of course be the ones deciding who gets the food. We've had it before, NAZIsm, stalinism, Pol Pot etc. Welfare for animals, yes, rights, no, a rights for animals concept is a contradiction and a no-brainer for our human identity. The Farmer, yes, you are right, sheep are never catholic, they're too bloddy independent-minded, they must surely be Anglicans!!!!!! Yes, Muslims will eat animals blessed by a Christian minister as for them, a blessing is a blessing, no matter Christian, Jewish or Muslim.

Come on Australia - set a better example to the rest of the world. Anyway the farmers can earn more by adding value to the meat & slaughtering these poor animals in their land of birth.