Natalia Chi
Today is St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s also Friday. That said, many people are wondering if they can eat meat to celebrate the holiday of Lent.
The answer depends largely on where you live, as bishops across Illinois have indicated they are divided on the issue.
Lent is the annual period of Christian rituals that precedes Easter. During Lent, many people avoid eating meat on certain days, including Friday.
So can Catholics in Illinois eat corned beef and other traditional St. Patrick’s Day meals?
In Chicago the answer is no, but there is one option.
The Archdiocese of Chicago, which represents Catholics in Lake and Cook counties, said in a release that it would not recognize a general exemption for the Memorial of St. Patrick, meaning Catholics would not eat meat on Friday of Lent. He said it meant that he had to keep holding back.
However, the Archdiocese also states that Catholics participating in events where meat is served should “conscientiously change the general rule of abstinence to another form of penance or to the vital importance of benefiting the poor.” It can be replaced with an act of charity.”
In a statement, the diocese said: “It is important that we take seriously our obligation to observe the Friday of Lent as a way to connect us with Jesus who died on Good Friday.
Cardinal Blas Kupich was conducting a general dispensation on St. Patrick’s Day 2017. According to the Chicago Catholicasked that those who choose to eat meat “replace another form of penance”.
Illinois is divided into six parishes: Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Joliet, Springfield and Belleville.
David Malloy, Bishop of Rockford, whose parish serves residents of McHenry, DeKalb and Kane counties, said: Dispensing Granted It eats meat on St. Patrick’s Day and asks believers to “perform penance or other acts of charity on that day in honor and honor of our Lord and Savior, the mystery of Easter.”
Catholics in Joliet Parish, including Kendall, Grundy, DuPage, Will, and Kankakee counties, are also eligible for a St. Patrick’s Day waiver.
was granted immunity from Bishop Luis Tilka, representing the Diocese of Peoria, including LaSalle County. He asks his followers to “perform philanthropic works, practices of piety, or equivalent acts of reparation during the third week of Lent.”
In Springfield, Catholics are not offered the preparation, but pastors may permit them “on an individual basis for good cause.” to the State Journal-Register.
Bishop Michael McGovern granted an exemption from leave in Belleville. It represents most of southern Illinois.
According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of America, Catholics over the age of 14 must abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent.
