Blood Ivory

Protestants aren't inclined to use crucifixes as objects of devotion, but the death of Christ on the cross has deep meaning within our expression of faith. I have stood in many Roman Catholic churches and pondered Christ's sacrificial love as I looked at a crucifix.

I was deeply unsettled to read an article in National Geographic magazine on the illegal trade in ivory which supplies the demand for ivory crucifixes in the Philippines. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/10/ivory/christy-text Even though there is an international ban on the sale of ivory, elephants are being slaughtered indiscriminately to supply ivory for these devotional images.And it would appear that there are Phiilppino priests who are caught up in the greed.

The thought of this "blood ivory" being used in this way sickens me. What a macabre irony that these elephants are slaughtered to create representations of the Christ whose blood was shed for many. It is hard not be be deeply discouraged by human nature and greed. I suppose, though, that this takes us back to the incarnation and the cross.

Since the NG article priests have been disciplined and the church has stated that it supports the ban on the sale of ivory.
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/09/26/blood-ivory-in-the-philippines/

Have you heard or read about this? What is your reaction?