DENVER — What is an Irish Catholic to do when St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday?
The traditional Irish meal for the holiday is corned beef and cabbage, but Catholics are not supposed to eat meat on Fridays during Lent.
Across the country, some bishops have granted dispensation from the “no meat on Fridays” rule.
The Philadelphia archbishop said it’s OK for Catholics there to eat meat this St. Patrick’s Day.
But in Denver, there is no such luck.
Archbishop Samuel Aquila has ruled St. Patrick’s Day in Denver will be like any other Friday in Lent for Catholics — which means no meat on the menu.
“Historically, the Archdiocese of Denver has not granted a dispensation from abstaining from meat when St. Patrick’s Day coincides with a Friday in Lent, and this year is no different,” said Karna Swanson, spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Denver.
“The Church encourages the faithful to celebrate the life of Ireland’s great saint by engaging in acts of charity, for which St. Patrick was so well known.”