[Coleus]

http://www.patersondiocese.org/page.cfm?Web_ID=1653

CLIFTON - Bishop Serratelli has announced that he has granted a dispensation to all Catholics living in the Diocese of Paterson from the Lenten obligation to abstain from eating meat on Friday, March 17, the feast day of St. Patrick.

"This dispensation is given with the recommendation that the faithful honor both St. Patrick and this holy season of Lent by praying for the protection of all life," the bishop said

[NYer]

Thanks for the updates. The RC Diocese of Albany has also granted a dispensation - "Since this feast is one in which many people celebrate the faith and heritage of the Irish people .... (blah, blah, blah)"

I nearly choked when I read: 'celebrate the faith' .... sure they do ... their faith in Irish stout. The bishop did not suggest any other form of penance be substituted. /sigh/