Cardinal McCarrick Gives Dispensation for Catholics to Eat Meat on St. Patrick’s Day

Popular Celebration Falls on Friday in Lent This Year

March 17, 2006

With St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, falling on a Friday in Lent this year, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick has granted Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington a dispensation from their Lenten obligation to abstain from eating meat that day.

Lenten guidelines require Catholics age 14 and older to abstain from eating meat on all Fridays during Lent, and to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Catholics who take advantage of the dispensation are encouraged to substitute another form of sacrifice on March 17.

Contact:
Susan Gibbs
Director of Communications
301-853-4515
gibbss@adw.org

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