A question regarding confession

[IntegraCatholic]

I would have agreed with bookcat especially when reading #25 of this document, HOWEVER, #26 reads:

This does not state, “for those who elect to do nothing on this day.” The correct reading of this is then that it is no longer required to abstain from MEAT, but some other penetential act must take place!

#26 continues: Friday, please God, will acquire among us other forms of penitential witness which may become as much a part of the devout way of life in the future as Firiday abstinence from meat.

It is not prescribing other penances. It is hoping that they take place of Friday abstinence, which was already clearly abrogated in the US outside of Lent by #25. I mean, it really couldn’t be clearer. It even says this it is emphasized that it does not bind under pain of sin lest anyone scruple about it.

No Bishop has the authority to go against, or to dispense their faithful from following Canon Law except the Bishop of Rome. Therefore, as to not say that the USCCB were in error when they wrote their directives, we in the United States are not required to abstain from meat, but we must abstain from some other food.

The general law of the Church does not abrogate particular law unless it says so. The 1983 code did not do this; therefore, the particular law of the Church in the US remains without obligation for the Fridays throughout the year.