Confused about Friday abstinence

[PraiseChrist]

Hi,

Are we bound to do any penance at all on Fridays outside of lent in the USA? I saw this video by catholic answers, but I honestly still don’t understand the answer

 

[1ke]

Hi,

Are we bound to do any penance at all on Fridays outside of lent in the USA? I saw this video by catholic answers, but I honestly still don’t understand the answer

Yes we are to do penance on Fridays, whether abstaining from meat or something else.

Yes it is binding in that the Church prescribes it and asks us to undertake penance on Fridays.

No it is not “binding under pain of mortal sin” as formulated under the old code of law.

I suggest this link:

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/us-bishops-pastoral-statement-on-penance-and-abstinence.cfm

 

[brad90956]

This link might help you: dioceseoflansing.org/no_meat_on_fridays_all_year_long

In November 1966, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (today’s USCCB), issued its Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence. This document covered a wide range of topics related to penitential practices. About halfway through, the bishops addressed the matter of Friday abstinence. The bishops stated that the practice of abstaining from meat would no longer be binding under pain of sin. American Catholics were asked to continue abstaining from meat, OR to find an alternative form of personal penance.

We know what happened next. The great majority of American Catholics began eating meat on Fridays, and have continued doing so for almost five decades.

This rejection of Friday abstinence and – let’s be honest – the wholesale failure to substitute an alternative penitential practice fail to honor either the spirit of the American bishops’ 1966 statement or even Christ’s call to a life of penance.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law provides in canon 1251 that “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.” Canon 1253 permits a national conference of bishops to “determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast.” It is the latter provision that recognizes the 1966 decision by the American bishops.

 

[signit]

Yes we are to do penance on Fridays, whether abstaining from meat or something else.

Yes it is binding in that the Church prescribes it and asks us to undertake penance on Fridays.

No it is not “binding under pain of mortal sin” as formulated under the old code of law.

The question has come up in the “Ask an Apologist” forum:

http:
//forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=58&highlight=fast+abstinence

As I understand the reply, the obligation (whether it be abstinence from meat or something else) is no longer “binding under pain of mortal sin.”

In November 1966, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (today’s USCCB), issued its Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence. This document covered a wide range of topics related to penitential practices. About halfway through, the bishops addressed the matter of Friday abstinence. The bishops stated that the practice of abstaining from meat would no longer be binding under pain of sin. American Catholics were asked to continue abstaining from meat, OR to find an alternative form of personal penance.

We know what happened next. The great majority of American Catholics began eating meat on Fridays, and have continued doing so for almost five decades.

This rejection of Friday abstinence and – let’s be honest – the wholesale failure to substitute an alternative penitential practice fail to honor either the spirit of the American bishops’ 1966 statement or even Christ’s call to a life of penance.

I think, if the obligation were still binding, given that Catholics started eating meat on Friday and didn’t substitute something else, the bishops would have issued a follow-up reminding us that the obligation of some kind of penance was still binding.

And I agree, we still should observe some sort of penance and even if it’s not a sin, we should take the obligation seriously. I say an additional Rosary on Fridays.

 

[signit]

Yes we are to do penance on Fridays, whether abstaining from meat or something else.

Yes it is binding in that the Church prescribes it and asks us to undertake penance on Fridays.

No it is not “binding under pain of mortal sin” as formulated under the old code of law.

The question has come up in the “Ask an Apologist” forum:

http:
//forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=58&highlight=fast+abstinence

As I understand the reply, the obligation (whether it be abstinence from meat or something else) is no longer “binding under pain of mortal sin.”

This link might help you: dioceseoflansing.org/no_meat_on_fridays_all_year_long

From the link:

In November 1966, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (today’s USCCB), issued its Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence. This document covered a wide range of topics related to penitential practices. About halfway through, the bishops addressed the matter of Friday abstinence. The bishops stated that the practice of abstaining from meat would no longer be binding under pain of sin. American Catholics were asked to continue abstaining from meat, OR to find an alternative form of personal penance.

We know what happened next. The great majority of American Catholics began eating meat on Fridays, and have continued doing so for almost five decades.

This rejection of Friday abstinence and – let’s be honest – the wholesale failure to substitute an alternative penitential practice fail to honor either the spirit of the American bishops’ 1966 statement or even Christ’s call to a life of penance.

I think, if the obligation were still binding, given that Catholics started eating meat on Friday and didn’t substitute something else, the bishops would have issued a follow-up reminding us that the obligation of some kind of penance was still binding.

And I agree, we still should observe some sort of penance and even if it’s not a sin, we should take the obligation seriously. I say an additional Rosary on Fridays.

 

[MaryHelp777]

Hi,

Are we bound to do any penance at all on Fridays outside of lent in the USA? I saw this video by catholic answers, but I honestly still don’t understand the answer

Yes!
We have to abstain from meat,

Or

Do a different equally meaningful penance.

It is a mortal sin to eat meat and not replace it with a different penance on Fridays.

 

[MaryHelp777]

The question has come up in the “Ask an Apologist” forum:

http:
//forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=58&highlight=fast+abstinence

As I understand the reply, the obligation (whether it be abstinence from meat or something else) is no longer “binding under pain of mortal sin.”

From the link:

I think, if the obligation were still binding, given that Catholics started eating meat on Friday and didn’t substitute something else, the bishops would have issued a follow-up reminding us that the obligation of some kind of penance was still binding.

And I agree, we still should observe some sort of penance and even if it’s not a sin, we should take the obligation seriously. I say an additional Rosary on Fridays.

According to the catechism and canon law, which even the Pope and bishops and priests are bound in obedience to,
The Friday penance all year round, from meat or a different penance chosen, must be fulfilled under pains of mortal sin.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

According to the catechism and canon law, which even the Pope and bishops and priests are bound in obedience to,
The Friday penance all year round, from meat or a different penance chosen, must be fulfilled under pains of mortal sin.

I’m sorry. I don’t see your claim supported in Canon Law or the Catechism or with the bishops’ statement. Other trustworthy folks also disagree. Can you provide documentation?

 

[CB_Catholic]

According to the catechism and canon law, which even the Pope and bishops and priests are bound in obedience to,
The Friday penance all year round, from meat or a different penance chosen, must be fulfilled under pains of mortal sin.

No, the Bishops in the United States have stated otherwise, although they do recommend that this be done freely. You have already been given the citations in this thread. This also has been clearly answered by the apologists on CAF. There is no sin, mortal or otherwise, in the US for not observing a Friday penance.

It does differ in other countries, such as England, which has reinstated the abstinence from meat. Each Bishop’s conference has the right to determine this, under the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

 

[thistle]

I’m sorry. I don’t see your claim supported in Canon Law or the Catechism or with the bishops’ statement. Other trustworthy folks also disagree. Can you provide documentation?

We are BOUND to do penance. See Canon Law:

DAYS OF PENANCE

Can. 1249 All Christ’s faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.

Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251 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.

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Can. 1253 The Episcopal Conference can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety.

 

[signit]

According to the catechism and canon law, which even the Pope and bishops and priests are bound in obedience to,
The Friday penance all year round, from meat or a different penance chosen, must be fulfilled under pains of mortal sin.

This is a reasonable argument.

You could look at the bishops’ statement and interpret it to say that only the abstinence from meat is no longer binding under penalty of sin, but the obligation to perform some sort of penance is still binding under penalty of sin.

However, looking at the apologist’s reply (linked in post #4) and looking at what the apologist italicized and capitalized in the quote from the bishops’ statement, I’d assume that the obligation is no longer binding under penalty of sin, period.

I also believe (as I said in post #4) that if it were still binding under penalty of sin, the bishops would have issued some sort of clarification. In 1983 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a clarification to the change in canon law which some Catholics apparently incorrectly interpreted as allowing them to join the Freemasons. I would assume the same here, that if it were still binding under penalty of sin and many Catholics erroneously thought it was not, there would be a clarification.

And, as I said, I still do a Friday penance, and I’m not suggesting that anyone else not do it. I do it because it’s the right thing to do, as part of my obligation as a Catholic, not because I might be punished if I don’t.

 

[paperwight66]

.

It does differ in other countries, such as England, which has reinstated the abstinence from meat. Each Bishop’s conference has the right to determine this, under the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

But even so, in England failure to abstain is not a matter of mortal sin. See the briefing notes produced for the Press by the England and Wales Bishops’ Conference at the time.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

We are BOUND to do penance.

I was referring specifically to the “under pains of mortal sin” part.

 

[thistle]

Yes we are to do penance on Fridays, whether abstaining from meat or something else.

Yes it is binding in that the Church prescribes it and asks us to undertake penance on Fridays.

**No it is not “binding under pain of mortal sin” as formulated under the old code of law.
**
I suggest this link:

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/us-bishops-pastoral-statement-on-penance-and-abstinence.cfm

Previously it was binding under pain of mortal sin not to eat meat on Fridays. Because other forms of penance are allowed they have said it is no longer binding under pain of mortal sin specifically to not eat meat. That have not said penance on Fridays is no longer binding under pain of mortal sin.

 

[Monica4316]

Hi,

Are we bound to do any penance at all on Fridays outside of lent in the USA? I saw this video by catholic answers, but I honestly still don’t understand the answer

Yes.

I personally don’t eat meat on Fridays cause I think that’s much easier than having to think of my own penances. Plus its traditional

 

[Monica4316]

Previously it was binding under pain of mortal sin not to eat meat on Fridays. Because other forms of penance are allowed they have said it is no longer binding under pain of mortal sin specifically to not eat meat. That have not said penance on Fridays is no longer binding under pain of mortal sin.

That’s kind of how I interpreted it too… That the statement was only about meat not being a mortal sin, but that penance is still required under sin. I don’t know for sure. In any case why risk it?

Even IF we didn’t have to do it, it still doesn’t mean we should stop. Optional doesn’t mean pointless.