Credit: Catholic Church
It might be lent, but Archbishop Of Philadelphia Nelson Pérez wants the faithful to know it is OK to eat meat to celebrate St. Patrick.
In a notice to parishioners, Pérez said he has “granted a dispensation to all Roman Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from the obligation to abstain from meat on the Memorial of Saint Patrick – Friday, March 17,” according to a statement.
Below is the rest of the statement from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:
The Catholic Bishops of the United States prescribe as part of a minimal penitential obligation that all persons who are fourteen years of age and older are bound to abstain from eating meat on the Fridays of Lent.
In certain circumstances, such as the coincidence of Saint Patrick’s Day and a Friday of Lent, the Diocesan Bishop may grant a dispensation from this obligation. However, if a Catholic makes the choice not to abstain from meat, then some other penance of choice is to be observed in honor of the passion and death of our Lord on the cross.
Saint Patrick’s Day, recalls the memory of this missionary Apostle to Ireland; his preaching of the Faith; and his encouragement to live authentic Christian lives. Faithful throughout the Archdiocese may observe March 17, 2023 by choosing a penitential act other than abstaining from meat.
