Corned beef on St. Patrick's Day? Tobin says no blanket dispensation for RI Catholics

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin will not issue a general dispensation for Rhode Island's Roman Catholics to eat corned beef on St. Patrick's Day.

The holiday falls during the 40 days of Lent, when Catholics age 14 and older are obligated to abstain from eating meat on Fridays.

"Bishop Tobin believes it is important to remind the faithful of the importance of our Lenten disciplines," said Michael F. Kieloch, director of communications and public relations for the Diocese of Providence.

However, the bishop invites those who wish to obtain a dispensation to send their request to the Vice Chancellor, the Rev. Nathan Ricci, at One Cathedral Square, Providence R.I. 02903.

"The requests also serve as an occasion to remind the faithful who receive dispensation to substitute abstinence from meat with another suitable penance, work of charity or prayer," Kieloch said.

The bishop has received several requests for dispensation so far, and Kieloch said they are likely to be granted.

"Again, with the proviso that the person substitutes some other penance, work of charity, or prayer in lieu of the usual abstinence from meat," he said.

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All New England states have a general dispensation to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day — except RI

Tobin's position was featured in a story published online March 3 by The National Catholic Register. The story, “The Meat of the Matter: St. Patrick’s Day and the Lenten Fast,” was written by Matthew McDonald and detailed which dioceses have issued general dispensations. They include all the other New England states, though several require another form of penance and Maine requires choosing another day to eliminate meat during the week.

McDonald wrote that the matter causes a stir, as Catholics wonder if they should visit a nearby diocese to gain dispensation.

There used to be no meat allowed on any Friday

Many older Catholics remember when their religious obligation meant that no meat was permitted on any Friday of the year, as that was the day Jesus died. Ecumenical changes brought about by Vatican II meant a relaxing of some obligations, including the meat restriction in 1966.

But the obligation remains for Fridays during Lent, as well as on Ash Wednesday.

As background, Kieloch cited The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' pastoral statement on penance and abstinence, which preserves "the tradition of abstinence from meat on each of the Fridays of Lent, confident that no Catholic Christian will lightly hold himself excused from this penitential practice.”

RI Catholics have been allowed to eat meat on past St. Patrick's Days that fell on a Friday

St. Patrick's Day has fallen on a Friday in Lent only three times in this century.

In 2006 and 2017, Tobin excused Catholics from the Lenten obligation, as did Bishop Robert E. Mulvee in 2000. Still, Catholics were reminded to substitute some other form of penance, prayer or charitable work.

Alternatives to meat

The Rev. Henry Zinno, pastor at Bristol's Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, said Catholics have several alternatives to corned beef on St. Patrick's Day. Citing the church's tradition of vigils, he suggested having corned beef on Thursday night for a celebration. He said that's what he is going to do as he honors his Irish roots.

An accomplished chef, he also suggested a Friday dinner of mussels made with Guinness stout, or a Sole Florentine stuffed with green spinach.

"I do think what Bishop Tobin is doing is a good idea," he said. By writing in to the diocese, the reminder to sacrifice in another way can be made in a personal way."

"I'm sure the devout, faith-filled and penitential man that St. Patrick was would approve," Zinno said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: No dispensation for RI Catholics to eat St. Patrick's Day corned beef