Lenten regulations in a particular country are regulated by their Bishop’s Conference. I know that in Mexico (not sure if it is every diocese) chicken is not considered “meat” because the alternatives, especially fish, are much more expensive for most of the people. The difficulty comes into play when the people from those areas move to the US, where chicken is not permissible.I’ve come across so many people over the years who will swear up and down that eating chicken during Lent on Fridays is permissible. I’ve noticed many of these people who think this are hispanic. Where did this belief come from?
Because they come from countries where the obligation is partially mitigated by the bishops, as is their prerogative, to allow chicken on Friday, largely because the alternatives are rather expensive.I’ve come across so many people over the years who will swear up and down that eating chicken during Lent on Fridays is permissible. I’ve noticed many of these people who think this are hispanic. Where did this belief come from?
Why would it it more expensive to eat vegetables (as the alternative) than chicken. Meat is always more expensive so I don’t understand that argument.Because they come from countries where the obligation is partially mitigated by the bishops, as is their prerogative, to allow chicken on Friday, largely because the alternatives are rather expensive.
But they through no fault of their own assume the dispensation also applies in the United States.
Usually in those countries, the vegetables grown locally are all exported (mostly to first world nations) and the vegetables in the country are imported and thus more expensive.Why would it it more expensive to eat vegetables (as the alternative) than chicken. Meat is always more expensive so I don’t understand that argument.
The Latin Rite has modified abstinence rules over time. In the early Church, the practice was more like that of the Eastern Catholics and Orthodox. No meat, including fish, no eggs, cheese or oil. Fasting is much more rigorous. Since eggs, fish, (nowadays even meat broth) are permitted in the Latin Rite, it’s become almost a custom in some places to have seafood on Fridays during Lent. In fact some live according to the letter, and not the spirit of the Law, eating shrimp, lobster, and other expensive seafood. I myself enjoy fish-sticks, they are cheap, easy to cook, not as good as salmon or sword fish, which I would prefer, they remind me of my childhood when that’s what we got growing up. Not a major mortification, but it’s what I do.Why would it it more expensive to eat vegetables (as the alternative) than chicken. Meat is always more expensive so I don’t understand that argument.
Even for their faith just a few times a year they can’t go without meat?The Latin Rite has modified abstinence rules over time. In the early Church, the practice was more like that of the Eastern Catholics and Orthodox. No meat, including fish, no eggs, cheese or oil. Fasting is much more rigorous. Since eggs, fish, (nowadays even meat broth) are permitted in the Latin Rite, it’s become almost a custom in some places to have seafood on Fridays during Lent. In fact some live according to the letter, and not the spirit of the Law, eating shrimp, lobster, and other expensive seafood. I myself enjoy fish-sticks, they are cheap, easy to cook, not as good as salmon or sword fish, which I would prefer, they remind me of my childhood when that’s what we got growing up. Not a major mortification, but it’s what I do.
I do sometimes go for meatless including fish, eggs, and dairy. But not everyone feels they have had a meal without some sort of animal protein. ** I’m Hispanic, and I know many Hispanics don’t eat a meal without some sort of animal protein if they can avoid it.** It could be cultural, or a sign that one is successful enough to afford some sort of meat. But among the very poor meat is a treat once a week or less even outside of Lent.
Your question is something that you will have to ask of those individuals. As well as the Bishops of Central and South America.Even for their faith just a few times a year they can’t go without meat?
You may be correct, I’ve not been to Mexico since the visit.IIRC it still Is technically illegal to wear clerical garb outside a church in Mexico, except with the particular permission of the civil authorities. Technically, Bl. John Paul II was violating the law, but of course no sane government would arrest a head of state like that.
You seem to confuse a few things. Avoiding flesh meat on Fridays is abstaining, not fasting. In the US. Fish is not considered flesh meat. Fasting in the modern sense is to eat one regular sized meal and your two other meals do not add up to the one normal sized meal.Eating fish on Friday is simply a Catholic custom.
It is supposed to be a type of fasting but I don’t see how eating fish and seafood is fasting.
I don’t pay much attention to the custom anymore but I do love fish Fridays.
Nothing about fish or chicken, but from here: zenit.org/en/articles/cardinal-of-mexico-city-gives-priests-faculties-during-lent-to-forgive-sin-of-abortionGood point, I’ll have to see if there is something from the Bishops of Mexico on the subject that I can find.
Except, it appears, in the Archdiocese of Ottawa where Archbishop Terrence Prendergast has mandated abstinence from meat for all Fridays in Lent.If chicken is permitted in some Latin American countries for reason of poverty I can understand that - but I wonder if the exemption applies on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday?
In Canada, we are not required to abstain at all on the Fridays of Lent. The bishops officially encourage it, but it is not required.
It’s more of an obedience issue, as I see it. God didn’t ask Adam and Eve to starve themselves to death; He simply prohibited eating of one particular tree.Eating fish on Friday is simply a Catholic custom.
It is supposed to be a type of fasting but I don’t see how eating fish and seafood is fasting.
Sorry for not being clear.Eating fish on Friday is simply a Catholic custom.
It is supposed to be a type of fasting but I don’t see how eating fish and seafood is fasting.
I don’t pay much attention to the custom anymore but I do love fish Fridays.