Year-round meat abstinence on Fridays?

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I heard that the USCCB was mulling the idea of bringing back the requirement for year-round abstinence from meat on Fridays in the United States. Has anyone else heard about this possibility?
I know some, even many, still do observe this particular discipline of the Friday fast, but not all of us do. I am curious if anyone has any links to articles on this discussion.
 
Big_Feet said:
I heard that the USCCB was mulling the idea of bringing back the requirement for year-round abstinence from meat on Fridays in the United States. Has anyone else heard about this possibility?
I know some, even many, still do observe this particular discipline of the Friday fast, but not all of us do. I am curious if anyone has any links to articles on this discussion.
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I haven’t heard about it and do tend to doubt it, but if theyare considering adopting this practice, I say more power to them.👍👍
 
The England and Wales bishops reinstated the year round abstinence last year in September, so it doesn’t seem to be so far-fetched that it could happen here. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14929199

I’m all for it. We need to reclaim Catholic culture.
 
I think it means more IF one does so on their own. I will abide by whatever teh Church teaches, but when I voluntarily give up something, it means a whole lot more than when I’m just following the rules.
 
wcknight said:
I think it means more IF one does so on their own. I will abide by whatever the Church teaches, but when I voluntarily give up something, it means a whole lot more than when I’m just following the rules.
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I understand what you are trying to say. However, quite a few of the people that abstain from meat every Friday during the year choose to do so simply because it is what the Church teaches through the Code of Canon Law. These people see it as a religious duty and not as just following the rules.
 
I started fasting on all Fridays shortly after becoming Catholic (learned it used to be the norm before V2). But, with my dh not being Catholic this caused problems (he does not see eye to eye with the Church) so I received council from my priest and he suggested other things to abstain from that my dh wouldn’t even now about.
 
I live in a part of the country where the “Friday Fish Fry” is a year round tradition.
Every pub/bar/restaurant offers this as a special, and it usually includes a 10-12 oz piece of fried fish, a 1/2 # of fries, coleslaw, soup and/or salad and sometimes dessert. By American dietetic standards, this meal would feed up to 3 people!

That said, I have never understood how this is a penitent act, and if I eat the leftover meatloaf from Tuesday night, I am committing a mortal sin? 🤷
 
Cristiano said:
I understand what you are trying to say. However, quite a few of the people that abstain from meat every Friday during the year choose to do so simply because it is what the Church teaches through the Code of Canon Law. These people see it as a religious duty and not as just following the rules.
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Agreed, Nearly everyone in my parish (FSSP) fits this description. I hope that the NCCB does so, but I cannot see them doing so fully, without someone halfway do-if-you-wish-to measure, out of fear of the inevitable press coverage that would result. Imagine what those headlines would look like:

U.S. Bishops Turn Clock Back Nearly Fifty Years
Bishops ban meat on Fridays
Benedict XVI gets his way with U.S. bishops
U.S. Catholics to go back to old ways
Bishops say "it’s a sin to eat meat–sometimes’
 
Chatter163 said:
Agreed, Nearly everyone in my parish (FSSP) fits this description. I hope that the NCCB does so, but I cannot see them doing so fully, without someone halfway do-if-you-wish-to measure, out of fear of the inevitable press coverage that would result. Imagine what those headlines would look like:

U.S. Bishops Turn Clock Back Nearly Fifty Years
Bishops ban meat on Fridays
Benedict XVI gets his way with U.S. bishops
U.S. Catholics to go back to old ways
Bishops say "it’s a sin to eat meat–sometimes’
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Sadly, you are right. I don’t think the Church does things based on the potential headlines, but you are right in that it would probably be spun in a non flattering light.

Nonetheless, I personally don’t know if it’s beneficial to set a specific abstinence item as much as it would be helpful for the Bishops to remind Catholics that Fridays remain a day of penance and abstinence. Too many people I know think that Friday is now party day. I would love to see the USCCB put a focus on the fact that it remains a day of penance and abstinence from meat is still the recommended action.
 
It’s in the Code of Canon Law (Canons 1250-1253 expounds upon them).
On non-Lenten Fridays, we American Catholics may substitute a penitential practice in lieu of abstinence from meat.

More here.
 
wcknight said:
I think it means more IF one does so on their own. I will abide by whatever teh Church teaches, but when I voluntarily give up something, it means a whole lot more than when I’m just following the rules.
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Oh please, this is the same tired old argument that people use who are apparently blind to the fact that 99% of Catholics refuse to abstain and fast voluntarily. These are integral parts of our faith, spoken of by countless Saints, and it was a disastrous change to abrogate fasting in the 1960s (one I reject).

And even with the rules in place, and individual still has free will in the matter. It’s still done out of love for God and respect for His Church.
 
Oneofthewomen said:
I live in a part of the country where the “Friday Fish Fry” is a year round tradition.
Every pub/bar/restaurant offers this as a special, and it usually includes a 10-12 oz piece of fried fish, a 1/2 # of fries, coleslaw, soup and/or salad and sometimes dessert. By American dietetic standards, this meal would feed up to 3 people!

That said, I have never understood how this is a penitent act, and if I eat the leftover meatloaf from Tuesday night, I am committing a mortal sin? 🤷
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Eating on a Friday a leftover meal from the previous Tuesday could be penance enough. I also thought that the Church gave an exemption for leftover meatloaf because, instead of considering it meat, considers it building supplies (e.g. a brick). :D:D:D
 
We never ate meat on Fridays growing up. We also live where there are fish frys. I don’t think it needs to become a rule, but something people on their own can choose to do.
 
Code of Canon Law:
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.
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This is required throughout the Catholic Church on all Fridays year round.
 
Here in the UK fish on fridays has always been a big thing, pubs/restaurants offer money off/special fish dishes on a friday. On Fridays in hospitals fish is the main dish being offered.

Also in the UK it is mandatory for British Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays. But my parish never even mentioned it when it came into force. Not once. I only found out when I read about it on an American blog. :confused:
 
Big_Feet said:
I heard that the USCCB was mulling the idea of bringing back the requirement for year-round abstinence from meat on Fridays in the United States. Has anyone else heard about this possibility?
I know some, even many, still do observe this particular discipline of the Friday fast, but not all of us do. I am curious if anyone has any links to articles on this discussion.
Click to expand...
Here are a few references:

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.​

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=630023
Re: Friday Abstinence Today?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sirach2
That is a difficult question to find a common answer, for many opinions circulate that say you must substitute a penance of your choice if you decide to eat meat on Friday. That is not what the Bishops envisioned when the lifted the discipline for Friday abstinence.
Unquote:

In fact, that’s exactly what the bishops did envision. Friday remains a day of penance. There is nothing optional about keeping the Friday penance. The option now is how that penance is done–not whether-or-not it is observed.

I suggest that you read the actual statement from the bishops instead of reading someone’s internet blog.

Here’s a link to the entire text
old.usccb.org/lent/2008/Penance_and_Abstinence.pdf

And a quote from the document itself that completely contradicts the conclusion on the blog:
  1. Friday itself remains a special day of penitential observance
    throughout the year, a time when those who seek perfection will be
    mindful of their personal sins and the sins of mankind which they are
    called upon to help EXPIATE in union with Christ Crucified.
 
fred_conty said:
Here are a few references:

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.
Click to expand...
Copycat.:rolleyes:
 
LemonAndLime said:
Also in the UK it is mandatory for British Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays. But my parish never even mentioned it when it came into force. Not once. I only found out when I read about it on an American blog. :confused:
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I find that highly pitiful.
 
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