Are Catholics in Ireland obliged to abstain from meat on Lenten Fridays?

So...are Catholics in Ireland obliged to abstain from meat on Lenten Fridays? I know that American Catholics are so obliged, but what about us? If anyone can give me a definite answer, particularly from an official source, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks!

Keylem

The time of Lent preserves its penitential character. The days of penitence to be observed under obligation throughout the Church are all Fridays and Ash Wednesday, that is to say the first days of "Grande Quaresima" (Great Lent), according to the diversity of the rites. Their substantial observance binds gravely.

2. Apart from the faculties referred to in VI and VIII regarding the manner of fulfilling the precept of penitence on such days, abstinence is to be observed on every Friday which does not fall on a day of obligation, while abstinence and fast is to be observed on Ash Wednesday or, according to the various practices of the rites, on the first day of "Grande Quaresima" (Great Lent) and on Good Friday.

III. 1. The law of abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat.

2. The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening, observing—as far as quantity and quality are concerned—approved local custom.

IV. To the law of abstinence those are bound who have completed their 14th year of age. To the law of fast those of the faithful are bound who have completed their 21st year and up until the beginning of their 60th year.


http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19660217_paenitemini_en.html

Thanks, Kaylem. I've also found out the following through an email from the editor of CatholicIreland.net:

At present there is no legal obligation [to abstain from meat on Lenten Fridays in Ireland].


Recently the archbishop of Westminister Vincent Nichols suggested that Catholics voluntarily undertake that practice as was common in the Church in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

I don't know about America, but I think you are right.

AFAIK, we are still obliged to do some form of Friday penance; e.g., giving up something or doing something extra (corporeal and/or spiritual works of mercy). This is on Lenten Fridays and all Fridays of the year.

georgieporgy

It's a requirement in the universal church but it can be "relaxed" by the local bishop. Rules like this are territorial so it may well be relaxed in Ireland. It's hard to find links to good local sources online.

Donatello

You can eat meat tomorrow, 25th March, as it is the solemnity of the Annunciation.

But to answer your question:

Lenten Fasting Regulations

Directions

1) Abstinence on all the Fridays of Lent, and on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

No meat may be eaten on days of abstinence.
Catholics 14 years and older are bound to abstain from meat. Invalids, pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt.

2) Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Fasting means having only one full meal to maintain one's strength. Two smaller, meatless and penitential meals are permitted according to one's needs, but they should not together equal the one full meal. Eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.
Catholics from age 18 through age 59 are bound to fast. Again, invalids, pregnant and nursing mothers are exempt.

3) Friday Abstinence Outside of Lent.
It should be noted that Fridays throughout the year are designated days of penance. The Code of Canon Law states that Friday is a day of abstinence from meat throughout the year. The American Bishops have allowed us to choose a different form of penance rather than abstaining from meat, but there must be some form of penance, for this is the day we commemorate Christ's suffering and death. The bishops stress that "[a]mong the works of voluntary self-denial and personal penance...we give first place to abstinence from flesh meat" (Pastoral Statement on Fasting and Abstinence).

Ireland is the same as America. We should be doing corporal & spiritual works of mercy anyway - these are not penances. Our Friday penance is ordinarily abstinence from meat, or something similar which is felt to be a real penance. Like not eating meat might be.

Donatello

Donatello wrote: »

We should be doing corporal & spiritual works of mercy anyway - these are not penances. Our Friday penance is ordinarily abstinence from meat, or something similar which is felt to be a real penance. Like not eating meat might be.

Well said - thank you.

Donatello

Deleted User wrote: »

Well said - thank you.

It is interesting, is it not, that we do not know these things? I found that CatholicCulture article a few weeks ago and it cleared up for me the ins and outs of fasting and abstinence. Our priests really ought to be talking about this stuff, for example, on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. I know we have the web, but not everyone uses it or would be inclined to use it to find out about the faith. I think the web, and EWTN, are real blessings in these times.

I bet most Catholics do no Friday penance of any kind. In my family, we re-introduced Fish-Fridays in recent years. It's a good thing to do!

It's good, throughout the year, to do penance on Friday. You might have a simple egg omelette and toast for breakfast, and then fish and chips for tea. Now that's not so hard, is it? :P

Onesimus

In addition to all that has been said... Lenten Fast consists of 40 days, it begins on Ash Wednesday which makes it 46 days. We start our 40 days fast on Ash wednesday and can break our fast on the 6 Sundays leading up to lent as it is a feast and celebration day of the Lords rest and ressurection.

This is why we have 46 days from Ash Wednesday. Just incase anyone thought the math didnt quite add up.

Festus

Cheers Oneismus, I had heard that from someone else before but wasn't so shure.

...buttermilk all the week, whiskey on a Sunday....