Posted on 03/02/2024 4:42:22 PM PST by nickcarraway
During Lent, alligators may change from reptiles to seafood, depending on where you live.
Looking for dishes you can still enjoy over Lent? May we suggest some tasty alligator recipes? Don’t worry. It’s been approved by some religious authorities.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the parameters of Lent, here’s a quick breakdown: Lent is the 40-day period prior to Easter that many of the Christian faith use as a time of reflection and prayer. In 2024, Lent runs between February 14 to March 28. During that time, those who observe may also abstain from luxuries (this is why so many of your friends may be saying “no thanks” to chocolate right now) or personal habits, and also refrain from eating meat on Fridays. However, “meat” is somewhat of a tricky term. So, in 2010, one inquisitive Catholic in Louisiana wrote a letter to his local archbishop to ask for clarification. Specifically, if he could continue to enjoy alligator meat on Fridays.
"Concerning the question if alligator is acceptable to eat during the Lenten season ... yes, the alligator is considered in the fish family," Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond wrote in his return letter. Aymond also noted his agreement with the letter sender's love for alligators, adding, “I agree with you, God has created a magnificent creature that is important to the state of Louisiana and it is considered seafood.”
Can Catholics Have Meat on St. Patrick's Day? It Depends Where They Live Other Catholic resources agree, including the Holy Spirit Parish, a Christian community located in the Almaden Valley of San Jose, California.
“Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep, or pigs — all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat,” the community’s website explained (pulling information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website). The site further noted that salt and freshwater species of fish and shellfish, including amphibians and reptiles — like alligators — are permitted throughout Lent. But the community does note that these same shellfish (aka that all-you-can-eat lobster) can also be considered a “luxury,” which, as you read above, is a no-go.
However, the Holy Spirit Parish's website noted that there are other loopholes to the meat rule, saying, “Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Thus, such foods as chicken broth, bouillon cubes, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat, are technically not forbidden.”
This leads to other technical questions, and of course, restrictions vary by region and diocese, so if you have any concerns, please check with your local church authorities. But as the Catholic News Agency explained, turtles, snakes, iguanas, and tortoises should be fair game too. And, according to Scientific America, in the 17th century, the Bishop of Quebec told everyone they could eat beaver meat on Fridays too, since they swim a lot in rivers (along with capybara for those living in South America). And snails fall under the same shellfish category as above, so here’s an escargot recipe that will get you through the Lenten season. Apologies, as we don’t have a beaver recipe on Food & Wine … yet.
Merrick Garland, is that you?
Catholics believe eating meat on Friday is a grave sin and that’s enough for me. If the other religions opt out that’s on them. But when they see St. Peter at the gates of heaven, he may send you south.
Catholics believe eating meat on Friday is a grave sin and that’s enough for me.
Mat 15:15 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”
Mat 15:16 “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked.
Mat 15:17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.
I suggest reading the whole context. There is a higher authority than catholics.
Quote
Don’t worry. It’s been approved by some religious authorities.
.....
The about 2,000 demon possessed swine years are almost up..
And they’ve been full of religious authorities and doctrines of demons.
The fall is going to really hurt some religious authorities the hardest..
You sound selfish to me. You think you are too good to do a simple sacrifice to God. Good luck!
I used to work with a good Catholic who gave up the same things for Lent every year - cheese and watermelon. He couldn’t stand either one.
You sound selfish to me. You think you are too good to do a simple sacrifice to God. Good luck!
You listen to others and have a prescription. If I do X, I am ok. God doesn’t want your offerings. What does he want?
You think a simple sacrifice will do it.
Mat 15:16 “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked.
Mat 15:17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.
That you crap it out. So what. So you can eat poison?
That you crap it out. So what. So you can eat poison?
Be nice to each other. It’s the Christian thing to do.
I cannot express my love for Beavers any more than I do.
Hard to be Christian. lol. Ok. I will.
*****
Can Catholics Have Meat on St. Patrick's Day? It Depends Where They Live Other Catholic resources agree, including the Holy Spirit Parish, a Christian community located in the Almaden Valley of San Jose, California.
Ummmm....IF it depends on where you live it must not be too "grave" of a sin.
But as peterprinciple noted....it's not against the NT to eat meat.
Just another example of Roman Catholicism adding to the texts something that just isn't there.
Be nice to each other. It’s the Christian thing to do.
The standard is God’s word. It is very clear, what you eat or don’t eat is worthless. There is a higher principle than that that Jesus was teaching. Ears to hear.
But it is obvious no one got their Bible out, including you, to see what God says on the matter.
“I’ve never seen alligator on any US restaurant menu.”
Buckhorn Exchange in Denver: https://www.buckhorn.com/menus/
Also serves Rocky Mountain Oysters and Rattlesnake.
Never had beaver of capybara, but gator is tasty. A mild flavor sort of like fresh water fish
Dang it I’m hungry and they are too far away for a Postmates delivery
Good on you. As I posted elsewhere:
"My feeling is, to be a good Christian, I will tolerate other’s opinions on The Word, so long as they are fellow Christians.
It is not up to me to correct their views, especially harshly. That is the job of the Holy Spirit.
Now, when it comes to Islamics or Bhuddists or Shintoist or whatever... fair game! :^)"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.