Meatless Fridays

[iguana27]

During RCIA, the priest at my parish made a point to emphasize the fasting aspect of meatless Fridays. It does no good to eat lobster (a luxury in these parts) and feel that you are fasting. It is an important reminder of the Passion of our Lord.

 

[EENS]

To correct an erroneous, previous post, abstinence from meat is still required every Friday of the year (unless a Solemnity fall upon that day, as was the case this year with Saint Joseph’s Feast Day). This is found in Canon Law (Book IV, Part III, Title II, Chapter II):
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.

The Code later says that the Episcopal Conference can replace abstinence and fasting with other forms of penance. To my knowledge this is an innovation unseen in Church history and the 1917 Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law (the only other codified Canon Law in Church history). In any event, this is the new law of the Church (Can. 1253), but that does not mean that the universal law of the Church is that abstinence and fasting are not necessary. It simply says that they can be replaced in certain circumstances. It is the law of the Church that abstinence be observed on all Fridays of the year (unless a Solemnity should fall on that day), and this “interpretation” of the Code is supported by a Canon lawyer of the Archdiocese of Atlanta who is currently studying Canon Law more extensively in order to be on the Archdiocese’s Tribunal (in case there is any question of authority on the matter). God bless.

EENS,
Adam

 

[amarkich]

To correct an erroneous, previous post, abstinence from meat is still required every Friday of the year (unless a Solemnity fall upon that day, as was the case this year with Saint Joseph’s Feast Day). This is found in Canon Law (Book IV, Part III, Title II, Chapter II):
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.

The Code later says that the Episcopal Conference can replace abstinence and fasting with other forms of penance. To my knowledge this is an innovation unseen in Church history and the 1917 Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law (the only other codified Canon Law in Church history). In any event, this is the new law of the Church (Can. 1253), but that does not mean that the universal law of the Church is that abstinence and fasting are not necessary. It simply says that they can be replaced in certain circumstances. It is the law of the Church that abstinence be observed on all Fridays of the year (unless a Solemnity should fall on that day), and this “interpretation” of the Code is supported by a Canon lawyer of the Archdiocese of Atlanta who is currently studying Canon Law more extensively in order to be on the Archdiocese’s Tribunal (in case there is any question of authority on the matter). God bless.

EENS,
Adam

 

[Mandi]

Dandelion_Wine:

I’ve had 2 priests tell me after confessing my laziness in regards to friday that I didn’t have to refrain from eating meat. Neither one mentioned that I could’ve performed a different act of penance (which I hadn’t and was the reason I was confessing). I’ve debated in my head whether I should talk to them outside the confessional on this matter.

This is not the 1st time I have heard something like this. I know I sound like a broken record, but what happens when those in charge start leading people down false roads?

The road to Heaven is narrow and stoney

The road to hell is wide and paved!!!

 

[Gertrude]

Greg:

MC,

You’re on the right track - meat has been considered a luxury to most cultures throughout the world and still is.

Vatican II abolished the requirement for Catholics to obstain from meat on Friday, although many people still follow the practice. Moreover, the prime reason is to withhold something important to us so we genuflect on Christ - to suffer, if you will. It’s a very small task we can practice and incorporate into our lives allowing ourselves to reflect on Christ’s passion.

I venture to guess that others go completely meatless each Friday to further the issue, even to the point of fasting.

Why is fish allowed? Anyone?

gs

Hi! I’m afraid that what you believe about meatless Friday being abolished by Vatican II is incorrect. It’s only American Catholics, if I’m not mistaken, that can substitute acts of piety and charity for abstaining from meat (warm blooded animals) on Friday. Here’s the Code of Canon Law:

The CODE of CANON LAW - Original Latin Text copyright 1983 Liberia Editrice
Vaticana, Vatican City – Book IV The Sanctifying Office of the Church

Chapter II

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.

In Christ our Salvation,