Friday Abstinence - Fish?

[KenHenderson]

I was confronted by a Baptist pastor this weekend who said that the Catholic Church has man made “dogmas” like eating fish on friday, and that is an unBiblical dogma.

First of all I know that he is referring to Friday Abstinence…in his ignorance. And I also know that this Abstinence is NOT dogma…but a discipline. And I told him that…but what other way can I answer his attack?

God Bless,
KH

 

[mercygate]

Dear Baptist Pastor,

You caught me off guard the other day when you referred to Friday abstinence in the Catholic Church as a “dogma.” This is definitely not a dogma, nor even a doctrine. It is a simple discipline, similar to the discipline observed by Baptists who do not drink alcohol or dance. The difference, of course, is that we do not believe that eating meat* per *se is sinful. We abstain from meat on Friday in commemoration of Our Lord’s Passion, and as a reminder that there are more important things in life than our own convenience. Moreover, the required days of abstinence from meat are only the Fridays of Lent. We also abstain from meat on Ash Wednseday and Good Friday, which are fast days as well.

I hope this clears up an unfortunate misunderstanding. I am often amazed to learn what odd misconceptions people have about Catholic teaching.

Faithfully,

Ken :getholy:

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

mercygate:

Dear Baptist Pastor,

You caught me off guard the other day when you referred to Friday abstinence in the Catholic Church as a “dogma.” This is definitely not a dogma, nor even a doctrine. It is a simple discipline, similar to the discipline observed by Baptists who do not drink alcohol or dance. The difference, of course, is that we do not believe that eating meat* per *se is sinful. We abstain from meat on Friday in commemoration of Our Lord’s Passion, and as a reminder that there are more important things in life than our own convenience. Moreover, the required days of abstinence from meat are only the Fridays of Lent. We also abstain from meat on Ash Wednseday and Good Friday, which are fast days as well.

I hope this clears up an unfortunate misunderstanding. I am often amazed to learn what odd misconceptions people have about Catholic teaching.

Faithfully,

Ken :getholy:

Tell him he needs to learn his 4 D’s of Catholicism:

Doctrine
Dogma
Discipline
Devotion

 

[KenHenderson]

Thanks for the reply…

Ken

 

[nancy3159]

Wait…I thought the bishops have been encouraging (softly) that we embrace the discipline of meatless Fridays throughout the year, not just during Lent.

 

[mercygate]

KenHenderson:

Thanks for the reply…

Ken

Not at all! Let us know if he answers.

 

[Todd_Easton]

Perhaps your friend might understand Friday abstinence better if it is presented in terms of a one-day-a-week, church-wide fast from meat.

Jesus said that his disciples would fast: “The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Matt 9:15; also see Mark 2:20 and Luke 5:35)

Jesus also gave instructions to his disciples on how to fast: “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matt 6:16-18)

Fasting by the early Church is mentioned in Acts 16:2-3 and 14:23.

 

[Della]

nancy3159:

Wait…I thought the bishops have been encouraging (softly) that we embrace the discipline of meatless Fridays throughout the year, not just during Lent.

There is a lot of confusion on this issue because it has been poorly taught to the faithful. The discipline of the Church has always been and still is to abstain from meat on Fridays, however, we may abstain from other things and do other penances instead if doing so would be more beneficial to us physically and spiritually. Unfortunately, many people took this exception as carte blanche to do no Friday penance of any kind. In encouraging us to abstain from meat the bishops are only suggesting we do so in order to get people to do penance once again and to return us to unity in the kind of penance we are doing as Catholics. I think it a good idea and hope they promote it more.