Animals Blessed During Holiday Ritual At Manhattan Church
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Dogs, cats, horses, llamas and even a pig went to church on Sunday for a holiday tradition.
The animals made their way up the aisle at Christ Church United Methodist parish on Park Avenue in Manhattan to be blessed by Roman Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a rabbi and ministers from the church.
Animals Blessed During Holiday Ritual At Manhattan Church
As WCBS 880's Monica Miller reported, the furry faithful also included members of the NYPD's K-9 Unit and horse patrol, who were led in by Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.
"They add so much to the image of the department as well as the capabilities of the department," the commissioner said.
Stacy brought her 5-month-old doberman pinscher Crypto in from Staten Island to be blessed.
"He needs to be blessed by a priest and a rabbi. He's half and half," she said.
Following the animal blessing, workers sprayed the pews with disinfectant to ensure they were ready for human worshipers.
The humans in attendance also donated new toys, which will be distributed at the New York City Animal Care and Control.
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