Meat On St Patrick's Day? Philly Archdiocese Says It's Ok

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia area Catholics have been given permission to gobble up meat in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Thursday granted a dispensation to all Roman Catholics in the archdiocese from their obligation to avoid meat on the holiday.

This year, St. Paddy's Day falls on Friday, March 17.

With the announcement, area Catholics can eat all the corned beef on the holiday as their hearts desire without fear of breaking Lent.

According to the archdiocese, the dispensation is in line with the church's Code of Canon Law.

Typically, all Catholics 14 and older are obliged to avoid meat on Fridays during Lent.

However, Diocesan Bishops can grant exceptions when celebrations such as St. Patrick's Day fall on Fridays.

Catholics are encouraged to give up something else as a penitential act in lieu of avoiding meat on St. Patrick's Day, according to the archdiocese.