Does 'charity' ever trump Lenten abstinence?

[sugarmouse]

On Lenten Fridays, Catholics are obligated to abstain from meat. I understand (please correct me if I’m wrong) that in special circumstances, a dispensation can be obtained from one’s parish priest, but would have to be sought in advance.

Here is my question: Suppose that a Catholic is visiting a non-Catholic friend’s house on a Lenten Friday for dinner. The friend brings out the meal, which they have worked very hard to prepare, and it is meat.

Now, of course, a Catholic should inform their friend in advance that they cannot eat meat on Lenten Fridays, but assuming that the friend has forgotten (or perhaps misunderstood), what are the options, since no dispensation can be obtained?

It would seem uncharitable to refuse the friend’s meal completely, or eat everything except the meat if it makes up the majority of the meal (a side-dish containing meat would not be so problematic). Is there anything else a Catholic can do, or will they simply have to apologise and tell their friend that as a Catholic, they cannot eat this meal today?

Thank you!

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Presuming the good intentions of the host, it would indeed appear that eating the food served would be preferable to insulting your host. Abstinence from meat on Fridays of Lent is connected to the divine will that we perform penance, however this particular form of penance is not an intrinsic moral value. I would suggest not offending your host and eating what they serve, you could then perform another form of penance to “make up” for eating the meat on a Friday in Lent.