Georgia Catholics get green light to eat meat on St. Patrick’s Day

The Guinness Stout Onion Soup at Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub is an Irish take on the French classic. PHOTO CREDIT: Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub

Credit: Ligaya Figueras

Credit: Ligaya Figueras

The Guinness Stout Onion Soup at Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub is an Irish take on the French classic. PHOTO CREDIT: Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub

Catholics in Georgia can celebrate St. Patrick's Day with shepherd's pie or meaty bangers and mash  after all. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory and Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., of the Diocese of Savannah, have granted Catholics in Georgia a dispensation from abstinence on St. Patrick's Day, which will be celebrated Friday, March 17.

The Catholic Church is currently observing Lent, a 40-day period of self-examination, fasting and penance in preparation for Easter. Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence. Abstinence obligates one to abstain from all meats and meat products. It applies to all Catholics who have reached the age of 14.

The dispensation is granted only on March 17, not other remaining Fridays in Lent.

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