Meat on Fridays
Most Catholics think that Vatican II did away with the requirement of not
eating meat on any Friday of the year. Most think it is now just Ash Wednesday
and the Fridays of Lent that we cannot eat meat.
This is what the new Code of Canon Law brought out in 1983 says about the matter:
Of course, most Episcopal Conferences have determined that, instead of abstaining from meat, Catholics may perform an act of penance of their choosing. But, do you ever remember to abstain from a particular food or do some other penance on Fridays? And, at any rate, the main rule is still to abstain from meat on Fridays, the performance of another penance instead is an optional alternative. It's very interesting to note that the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (the United States' Episcopal Conference) is currently debating whether to rescind the determination and require all Catholics to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. The Bishops are considering that a return to meatless Fridays for all Catholics would be of benefit because:
This is what the new Code of Canon Law brought out in 1983 says about the matter:
Canon 1251Canon Law still requires that Catholics not eat meat on Fridays!
Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Of course, most Episcopal Conferences have determined that, instead of abstaining from meat, Catholics may perform an act of penance of their choosing. But, do you ever remember to abstain from a particular food or do some other penance on Fridays? And, at any rate, the main rule is still to abstain from meat on Fridays, the performance of another penance instead is an optional alternative. It's very interesting to note that the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (the United States' Episcopal Conference) is currently debating whether to rescind the determination and require all Catholics to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. The Bishops are considering that a return to meatless Fridays for all Catholics would be of benefit because:
- It is an expression of one's Catholicity; and
- In reparation for the grave sin of abortion.
Source: http://www.catholic-pages.com/life/fridaymeat.asp
This is a point I've been trying to get across for many, many years! Most Catholics are not aware that "Meatless Fridays" is STILL IN EFFECT! Yes, it doesn't HAVE to be meat, but it HAS to be SOMETHING EQUIVALENT or an approved act of penance or charity. WHATEVER it is it is something which MUST be done EVERY FRIDAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR! That which is ADDED on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday is FASTING. There's a difference between fasting and abstinence!
ReplyDeleteHere's a bit of the history of me being on this soapbox...
2012
http://cathapol.blogspot.com/2012/02/ash-wednesday.html
2011
http://cathapol.blogspot.com/2011/03/solemnity-of-annunciation.html
2010
http://cathapol.blogspot.com/2010/02/ash-wednesday.html
2009
http://cathapol.blogspot.com/2009/03/abstaining.html
2002:
http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/articles/fasting_and_lent.htm
I know it is one of your personal vexations (it is becoming one of mine, too). I know you have written several posts on it. Thank you for providing the links. I was hoping to remind your readers once again.
ReplyDeleteIt is good news then that the US Bishops may reverse their decision on this, and bring back meatless Fridays.