So, the Bishop's brother had a fish shop...

The ignorance regarding Catholicism is at times astounding.

Take yesterday for instance. On WILK, most of radio host Steve Corbett's talk show was about Catholicism, mainly about the New York Times' faulty claim that Bishop Martino has in fact barred Little Joey Biden from receiving the Eucharist, or whether or not Bishop Martino SHOULD enforce Catholic teaching by doing so.

Corbett, a former Catholic, had many callers, some correct in their comments, others not so much. But there was one woman in specific who insulted Catholics and our beliefs, calling us "insane". To his credit, Corbett rightfully chided the woman, but I feel the need to remark on something she said.

I wish I had a transcript, but one of her accusations was alledgedly the reason for our Friday abstinence. She said "The bishop's brother had a fish shop and sales were down. That's why they eat fish." When Corbett questioned her on the date this happened she said: "It's a part of history", as if her word was enough to prove her assertion as fact. I actually laughed out loud at that one.

In the Latin Church, abstinence means refraining from eating the meat from mammals or fowl, and soup or gravy made from them. Fish is allowed, hence Fridays are known as "Fish Fridays." Traditionally, the laws of abstinence apply to all aged 7 and over, but the new Code of Canon Law applies it to all who have completed their 14th year.

In the time of Christ's Incarnation, practitioners of the Old Testament religion fasted or abstained on Mondays and Thursdays, but Christians opted to take Wednesdays (the day Our Lord was betrayed) and Fridays (the day Our Lord was crucified) as their penitential days.

Wednesdays and Fridays are still days of penance in most Eastern Catholic Churches (and among the Orthodox), but in the Roman Church, only Fridays, as memorials to the day our Lord was crucified, remain as weekly penitential days on which abstinence from meat and other forms of penance are expected as the norm. ¹ From the 1983 Code of Canon Law: Can. 1249 All Christ's faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.

Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Can. 1253 The Episcopal Conference can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety.

In the case of the Church in America, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has decided that it is too difficult for Catholics to abstain year round, so Catholics in America are not bound to it. But it is still a good practice to follow as some extra penance for the sins you commit cannot hurt.

If Corbett talks about Catholicism today I will try to call and put a stop to the misinformation being spouted by supposed Catholics, but with my work it is difficult to do so. If you are secure in the knowledge of your faith, call Corbett up let him know what you think about the issues facing Catholics today.

And don't talk about about the Bishop's brother. We've been hiding that little secret for years...