Careful readers of church rules may sense a slight loosening this year of the regulations (page 2) regarding abstinence from meat on the Fridays in Lent.
The regulations state: “meat broths or condiments made from animal fat are OK.”
This seems to contradict past guidelines which, up to last year, read: “On days of complete abstinence, meat and soup or gravy made from meat is not to be eaten.”
Deacon Modesto Cordero, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, confirmed that indeed the rules have been “revised and approved” by diocesan judicial vicar Father Mark Gantley and Bishop Larry Silva.
Deacon Cordero said the wording is an adaptation from an explanation found on the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on a question and answer page on Lenten abstinence.
Here is the complete quote:
“Q: I understand that all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat, but I’m not sure what is classified as meat. Does meat include chicken and dairy products?
“A. 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. Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted.”
