Accidental meat consumption breaks Lenten abstinence?

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According to the Canon, Meat and meat derivatives such as soups and creams should be avoided as it is obligation in Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

What if someone was observing both fasting and abstinence but unknowingly consumed meat via a derivative or a dish that appeared to be completely non meat based but contained a soup possibly made of meat? Does this break fasting?

Sorry for what may seem ridiculous questions but,i tend to battle a lot with scrupulosity and can’t help but to ask.
 
Yes but you are not morally responsible for it. Unless you could’ve known but just looked the other way and consumed it anyway.
 
You can’t accidentally sin. If you just simply forgot, there is no sin. It’s different if you try to avoid looking at calendars to see that it’s Ash Wednesday. If you eat meat knowing you’re not supposed to and don’t care that you can’t, then it’s a sin.
 
If you’re in the US, here are the guidelines from the USCCB:
Q. I understand that all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat, but I’m not sure what is classified as meat. Does meat include chicken and dairy products?

A. Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep or pigs — all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat. Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted.
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I have a question. We are vegetarians almost vegan. Is there something else I should and could give up in place of meat that would align with the church teaching. Meat just isn’t a food item in my house.
 
The purpose of the day is not about meat. It is about penance, conversion and sacrifice.
 
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Shellfish eat p!@#. Why would you eat anything anytime that eats waste? GAG! My neighbor has 2 or 3 hogs year round for slaughter and we take care of each other’s livestock during travel. You spend a couple hours studying those hogs and you will lose your taste for bacon!!!
 
Is there any Canonical definition to abstinence ? And thank you this seems very throughout but i am still having my doubts. Like some say soups nor gravy’s are ok… others don’t…
 
Depends on your Diocese: Lenten Q&A | DOLR.org

The rule of abstinence from meat includes all flesh and organs from mammals and fowl. This also includes soups and gravies made from them. Current practice in the Church is guided by the document “Paenitemini,” given in 1966 by Pope Paul VI. In previous documents the question of soups and gravies was spoken of specifically. In “Paenitemini” the question is not specifically included. That has led to some discussion of the issue in Catholic circles.

For the practice in the Diocese of Little Rock, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor has interpreted the practice to include abstaining from soups and gravies made from meat. By-products such as eggs and cheese are permitted. Fish and other cold-blooded animals have traditionally been the acceptable substitutes on days of abstinence.
 
nearlycatholic said:
I have a question. We are vegetarians almost vegan. Is there something else I should and could give up in place of meat that would align with the church teaching. Meat just isn’t a food item in my house.
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You could try a bread and fruit diet for the day. Other food/drink items that could replace meat for a vegan are coffee, olive oil, alcohol or tofu.

The idea with meat is that it is, or at least was at one time, considered a luxury item, something more of a treat or a privilege. Try to find something in your diet that fits that description.
 
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TheLittleLady said:
Depends on your Diocese: Lenten Q&A | DOLR.org

The rule of abstinence from meat includes all flesh and organs from mammals and fowl. This also includes soups and gravies made from them. Current practice in the Church is guided by the document “Paenitemini,” given in 1966 by Pope Paul VI. In previous documents the question of soups and gravies was spoken of specifically. In “Paenitemini” the question is not specifically included. That has led to some discussion of the issue in Catholic circles.

For the practice in the Diocese of Little Rock, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor has interpreted the practice to include abstaining from soups and gravies made from meat. By-products such as eggs and cheese are permitted. Fish and other cold-blooded animals have traditionally been the acceptable substitutes on days of abstinence.
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That is exactly what i have read… So my question would be, if i was observing abstinence buy may have accidentally eaten something that may have been mixed with meat soup, break my abstinence and therefore being in sin?
 
They are in the Diocese of Little Rock, and could be in other Dioceses.
 
Find out what your Bishop has decreed. You Diocese has a web site, google it and check 🙂

You are not guilty for accidents.
 
A beloved deacon told us to “eat like the poor and give the extra money as almsgiving,” To me, this means to eat Top Ramen. I lived in Alaska where people have freezers full of beautiful seafood. It’s not a hardship to eat King Crab on a Friday so he said that it would be more appropriate to eat as the poor eat, or do other forms of personal denial.
 
No it feeds right into legal minimalism and scrupulosity.

On the other hand, it is part of our Catholic culture and helps define our identity.

Anyone going to a good ol fish fri this Friday?
 
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