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MEATLESS FRIDAYS and the Official Church Law (Surprise!)
Life Enterprises Unlimited ^ | Father David C. Trosch

Posted on 02/28/2006 10:01:19 AM PST by NYer

MEATLESS  FRIDAYS

and  the

Official  Church  Law


The National Conference of Catholic
(American) Bishops - NCCB

Studies Returning
Meatless Fridays



       The vast majority of Catholics today do not know that there is an existing obligation to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. While it is true that the Code of Canon Law allows for the substituting of another penitential practice, authorized by the NCCB, one has not been defined. As a consequence the abiding custom of the Church has been set aside. Neither bishops nor priests, with rare exception, inform the faithful of their obligations. Laxity and indifference have become the rule throughout most of the American Church in all matters of faith and morals. The congregations are being led straight into Hell.

       Laxity and indifference are particularly notable in relation to human life. As the value of life expands in its deterioration, the bishops continue their practice of public posturing. As noted in the news article following the quotations from the Code of Canon Law, the bishops are now consideringg the possibility of reintroducing that which is, in essence, already the existing law of the Catholic Church.


       If the average Catholic were asked if they abstain from meat on Fridays, they would say no. If asked what penitential practice they have substituted in place of not eating meat, they would commonly say none.

       Bishops, and the priests in their jurisdictions, have long neglected to teach about the obligatory requirement of either abstaining from meat on all Fridays of the year, or of substituting another observance. They have sinned by omission. It should be noted that even Pope Paul VI's variance in Paenitemini of 17 February, 1966 did not abrogate (terminate) the obligation to at least substitute another form of penitential practice.

       The bishops are proposing to possibly have Catholics -- do what they were commonly supposed to be doing anyway (NOTE: Most Catholics no longer believe in condemnatory sin and consequently do not go to obligatory confession when in grave sin. It is probable that today there are more Catholics with non-Catholic beliefs than there are Protestants.) -- express their concerns in regard to abortion and euthanasia by abstinence (not eating the meat of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fowl). This might to some seem an improvement to expressing the need for prayer in regard to the multitudes of innocent people daily being slaughtered by Godless people. During the seven month period of time intervening between making the proposal to discuss and actually possibly discussing the proposal their will have been between one-half million and over five million people legally murdered in America. Obviously they do not consider this to be a matter of grave concern.

What else could be said or done?

  1. Strongly remind Catholics of their obligation to oppose evil.
  2. Start instructing Catholics of the sinfulness of voting for pro-euthanasia, pro-abortion, and pro-sodomite political candidates at all levels of government.
  3. Remind people that works (Mat. 25:45-46 & James 2:10, 14, 17) are the required evidence of the faith that is needed to get into Heaven, and that apathy and indifference are condemnatory.
  4. Tell Catholics to pray and/or protest at all hospitals and clinics that terminate innocent human life from the instant of conception to natural death.
  5. Tell Catholics that if they are not able to act as stated above that they can write letters of protest to government officials, or articles to editors of newspapers.
  6. Encourage the fainthearted that at least they should protest the selling or showing of pornography at book stores, video stores, grocery stores, movie theaters, etc.
  7. Start church committees to help people get active in opposing evil and to associate them with someone of like mind so that they can act at least in pairs.
  8. Remind Catholics that cowards do not enter Heaven -- EVER.



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.

(Emphasis has been added.)                Canon Law Society of America: Text & Commentary



TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; History; Religion & Culture; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; catholiclist; fridays; lent; meat; meatless; nosurprise; pennance
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To: zerosix
I just don't understand why if I fast at a time specified by another, how that really ever relates to me or my personal communication with God.

Perhaps just because it's better than never fasting at all?

The significance of Fridays, of course, is in commemoration of the Passion.

21 posted on 02/28/2006 11:03:46 AM PST by Campion ("I am so tired of you, liberal church in America" -- Mother Angelica, 1993)
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To: NYer
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
22 posted on 02/28/2006 11:06:20 AM PST by bremenboy (if any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God)
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To: bremenboy
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats

A KVJ mistranslation. The Greek word simply means "foods".

And the reference is to certain Gnostic groups, which forbade marriage (for all of their members) and had various strange rules about foods, some of which were thought to be salvific and others of which were thought to damn a person.

But thanks for the classically misunderstood verse of Scripture posted as an anti-Catholic troll. We've never seen that one before. Really. Not.

23 posted on 02/28/2006 11:09:38 AM PST by Campion ("I am so tired of you, liberal church in America" -- Mother Angelica, 1993)
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To: zerosix
I would think that if we do it as a rule without ever spending time daily in prayer and actually asking God's for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it would be pretty darned pointless, wouldn't it?

I believe the intention of all this sort of thing is to put aside some of the things "of the world" to help us focus on what's most important.

Tomorrow we'll fast and abstain from meat. If we spend all day moaning and groaning to ourselves, then we've really missed the point. If all the little hunger pangs and changes in our daily routine turns our hearts and minds more intently toward Jesus, it is a gain for us. If we only do it because "we gotta", we miss an opportunity. Plus, we do it together.

Check out the Orthodox sometime. They do some real heavy duty fast and abstinence during Lent. We Latins are pretty lightweight in discipline compared to them.

24 posted on 02/28/2006 11:17:53 AM PST by siunevada (If we learn nothing from history, what's the point of having one? - Peggy Hill)
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To: Owl_Eagle

LOL . . . I sure am going to miss this place - starting tomorrow I'm giving up FReeping for Lent.


25 posted on 02/28/2006 11:18:04 AM PST by sassbox
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To: Campion
Thanks for the enlightenment. I always love to learn more about another religion's basic tenents. The Good News is that we are all sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus and eternally grateful for His Salvation and Grace.

I grew up around three Catholic families and knew very well of their "meatless Fridays" but was too young at the time to understand, though their kids didn't understand any more than I did, they just hated fish and mac&cheese and really envied me during Lenten Season when I ate ice cream.

26 posted on 02/28/2006 11:20:05 AM PST by zerosix (Native Sunflower and avid ironer)
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To: sassbox

Well, good luck with that.  I'm still trying to decide between red meat, tobacco, or my sobriety.  FWIW- the wife is lobbying heavily for one or both of the first two.

Owl_Eagle

(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,

 it was probably sarcasm)

27 posted on 02/28/2006 11:21:21 AM PST by End Times Sentinel (In Memory of my Dear Friend Henry Lee II)
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To: Owl_Eagle; sassbox

Heh. sounds very much like my sunday school instruction when I was a child--totally vapid.


28 posted on 02/28/2006 11:24:03 AM PST by bourbon (everything inside screams for second life)
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To: sassbox
starting tomorrow I'm giving up FReeping for Lent.

Now THAT is sacrifice!

29 posted on 02/28/2006 11:24:58 AM PST by Toby06 (Hindsight alone is not wisdom, and second-guessing is not a strategy)
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To: zerosix

I just skimmed through this earlier thread. It seemed pretty good.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1586939/posts


30 posted on 02/28/2006 11:29:37 AM PST by siunevada (If we learn nothing from history, what's the point of having one? - Peggy Hill)
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To: zerosix

We are imitating the Master - remember when he went to the desert and fasted? It is a small way to imitate him and by so doing remember the redemption he purchased for us so that we might be inspired to lead lives in accord with the abundant grace bestowed upon us.

I think your question is disingenuous. You could have figured the answer to your question quite easily on your own.


31 posted on 02/28/2006 11:33:49 AM PST by Notwithstanding (I love my German shepherd - Benedict XVI reigns!)
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To: zerosix

Our clergy do all our mediation and contemplation.
We don't have to pray.
We don't have to think.
We just pay enough money and "shazam" we get into heaven.
Its kind of like being saved.
It's such a sweet deal.


32 posted on 02/28/2006 11:40:54 AM PST by Notwithstanding (I love my German shepherd - Benedict XVI reigns!)
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To: zerosix
Precisely what does "meatless Fridays" have to do with the teachings of Christ?

Good question. Here's the closest I can find:

Now the Spirit manifestly saith that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy and having their conscience seared, forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful and by them that have known the truth. -- I Timothy 4:1-3

33 posted on 02/28/2006 11:41:56 AM PST by Sloth (Archaeologists test for intelligent design all the time.)
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To: zerosix

We live and die by the hierarchy.
If I did not have a priest telling me what to and when, I think I would just freak out.
I can't be bothered with any "personal relationship with Christ" business.
If my priest can't do it for me, I am not interested.


34 posted on 02/28/2006 11:47:29 AM PST by Notwithstanding (I love my German shepherd - Benedict XVI reigns!)
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To: NYer
I think there is an awareness of this coming back and I think we can thank Dr. Atkins. For so many years, people lived on pizza and pasta and we all suffered under the delusion that it was good for us. In the 80's and 90's, it was nothing for people to abstain from meat. For many young people, their dinner wasn't going to include meat anyway.

Enter the glycemic index and the Atkins diet. We all eat more chicken than we did 10 years ago. Anyway, it seems to me that now when adults have to have pizza, in the back of their heads they're thinking, "that's enough carbs for today. No dessert."

Now people hear this information and it sticks with them, and guess what? No meat's a sacrifice again!

35 posted on 02/28/2006 11:49:05 AM PST by old and tired (Run Swannie, run!)
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To: zerosix
"I just don't understand why if I fast at a time specified by another, how that really ever relates to me or my personal communication with God."

I myself am a weak-willed person --- poorly disciplined ---and I find it difficult to fast. In fact, just thinking of fasting makes me visualize tacos, barbecued pork ribs, creamy vanilla ice-cream with Hershey's chocolate syrup, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting: you see the problem.

I have always found it a little easier (not easy, but a little easier) to fast when:

(1) It's obligatory. I can't so easily weasel out of it by saying, "Oh, I'll fast tomorrow. Besides, my Atkins diet counts as a fast. Besides, I fasted this morning and I felt a little weird, so I NEED that ham & cheddar hot pocket..." Obligatory helps.

(2) Other people are fasting at the same time. When you're not eating meat, it really helps if nobody in your family is nuking hotdogs in the microwave. The solidarity (and relative lack of temptation) when everbody in the household is on the same page, spiritual-discipline-wise, counts for a lot to a shilly-shallying sinner like me.

OF COURSE you've gotta be praying when you're fasting. Think about Christ fasting. Good Lord, if even He had to fast ---- He who was perfect ---

No doubt there are other "medicines" besides fasting which can help you focus your mind of repentance and prayer--- but it's always a good idea to find out what medicine your Doctor takes...

36 posted on 02/28/2006 11:49:10 AM PST by Mrs. Don-o (Credo in Unam, Sanctam, Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam.)
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To: sassbox

>>LOL . . . I sure am going to miss this place - starting tomorrow I'm giving up FReeping for Lent<<


Me too! And the Catholic Answers forums. Last year I spent too much on Ebay but missed the whole Terri Schinder death brewhaha.

God works in mysterious ways.


37 posted on 02/28/2006 11:57:27 AM PST by netmilsmom (To attack one section of Christianity in this day and age, is to waste time.)
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To: Sloth
Here's the closest I can find

You didn't look very hard, did you?

38 posted on 02/28/2006 12:01:35 PM PST by Campion ("I am so tired of you, liberal church in America" -- Mother Angelica, 1993)
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Comment #39 Removed by Moderator

Comment #40 Removed by Moderator


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