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Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. As of yesterday, 72.6% of dioceses in the United States are offering some relief from the no-meat-on-Fridays-during-Lent rule for Saint Patrick’s Day. 93 diocesan bishops are providing a dispensation with no strings attached — although many of those bishops suggest extra prayers or spiritual exercises or abstaining from meat on another day. Thirty-four diocesan bishops said yes but gave additional conditions, requiring a substitute through what canon law calls a ‘commutation’ of the requirement, such as attending Mass on Saint Patrick’s Day, saying the Breastplate of Saint Patrick prayer, praying the rosary, abstaining from meat another day, or helping the poor. Also in the yes-but category is the Archdiocese for the US Military Services, which is requiring abstinence from meat on another day the same week as Saint Patrick’s Day for those planning to eat meat on Friday, March 17. Forty-six diocesan bishops, or 26.3% of the dioceses, have said no to a general dispensation or commutation for all Catholics in the diocese, although many of those say they would grant individual dispensations upon request. For a complete map showing where Catholics are allowed to eat meat this Saint Patrick’s Day, visit catholicnewsagency.com.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253789/where-are-catholics-allowed-to-eat-corned-beef-on-st-patricks-day-this-lent
Catholic bishops in the United Kingdom said a new law criminalizing prayer and outreach outside abortion clinics in England and Wales discriminates against people of faith. Britain’s House of Commons approved legislation on March 7 to create “buffer zones” across the country, which strictly bans behavior that “interferes with any person’s decision to access, provide, or facilitate the provision of abortion services” around abortion facilities. The law’s broad provision would prohibit a wide range of behavior, including silent prayer. Religious freedom is essential for society and human flourishing, the bishops’ statement said.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253878/uk-bishops-call-buffer-zones-banning-prayer-outside-of-abortion-clinics-discriminatory
The Catholic Diocese of Albany has decided to file for bankruptcy, saying a financial reorganization will help provide some compensation for the hundreds of sex abuse victims who have filed lawsuits. Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany said parishes and schools are not part of the filing and are incorporated as different entities. Scharfenberger said the diocese has been named in more than 400 lawsuits filed from August 2019 to August 2021 under the Child Victims Act of 2019. There is no timeline for the Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Albany Diocese said in a statement. Other reorganizations have continued for several years.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253877/facing-hundreds-of-sex-abuse-lawsuits-albany-diocese-to-declare-bankruptcy
Today, the Church celebrates Saint Patrick. He was captured and brought as a slave to Ireland before escaping back to Britain, but later returned to Ireland as a bishop to minister to the small Christian communities. Using the traditions and symbols of the Celtic people, he explained Christianity in a way that made sense to the Irish and was thus very successful in converting the natives. He remains one of the most beloved Saints of Ireland.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-patrick-of-ireland-180