Body of a slain deer displayed during Mass in a Latvian Catholic church

The body of a slain deer was displayed during Mass in a Catholic church. Photo: Otkrito.lv

On November 2, 2025, a service was held in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Skaistkalne, Latvia, in honor of St. Hubert’s Day – the patron saint of hunters, reports Otkrito.lv.

During the Mass, the body of a slain deer was brought into the church and laid on a bier decorated with flowers and greenery. According to the organizers, this act followed traditions observed in other countries that celebrate the day.

The service was led by Archbishop Zbignevs Stankevičs of Riga. The church was packed, and at the end of the Mass the archbishop blessed the hunters, their dogs, and their owners. In his sermon, he said: “God has entrusted hunters with the care of nature. When wolves multiply excessively and begin attacking domestic animals, their numbers must be controlled. I wish hunters to keep their hearts pure from vices, anger, and the thirst for power.”

After photos and videos from the church appeared on social media, a heated debate erupted. Many users expressed outrage, calling the event “a return to the Middle Ages.”

“Lord! They’ll bless it – and then eat it? The world has gone mad,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Unbelievable! What is this priest doing? Madness!”

Some users, however, supported the idea, noting that it was merely a traditional blessing for hunters.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Latvia had begun the process of withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention.

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