How can I get a dispensation to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day?

[KateAnn]

Who can grant dispensation for St. Patrick’s Day, being it falls on a Lenten Friday? Our archbishop says NO dispensation for St. Patrick’s day this year. However, the same archbishop granted dispensation back in 2000 when it also fell on a Friday.

Just across the river, in another diocese, they have been given a dispensation. If I drive over there, then do I fall under the dispensation? Or am I bound to follow my archbishop? How can one diocese say “okay” and the other say “no”?

Our Ancient Order of Hibernians is having a corned beef and cabbage lunch on the 17th. How can a Catholic group serve meat in an archdiocese that the archbishop will not grant dispensation?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

KateAnn:

Just across the river, in another diocese, they have been given a dispensation. If I drive over there, then do I fall under the dispensation?

So far as I know, no, you can’t simply travel across diocesan lines to eat meat. Your archbishop’s ruling binds those who legitimately belong to his archdiocese.

KateAnn:

Or am I bound to follow my archbishop? How can one diocese say “okay” and the other say “no”?

Yes, you are bound to follow your archbishop. Diocesan bishops have authority to make rulings on these matters on their own authority, and so one can say “yea” while another says “nay.”

KateAnn:

Our Ancient Order of Hibernians is having a corned beef and cabbage lunch on the 17th. How can a Catholic group serve meat in an archdiocese that the archbishop will not grant dispensation?

If the group is Catholic, it will take under advisement the ruling of the archbishop and change its menu. St. Patrick, himself a bishop, certainly would not consider it an honor for a Catholic group to disobey its local ordinary in order to serve meat on his memorial. Since the color of the day is green, why not suggest a vegetarian menu?