Cafeteria Catholics

16 March 2006 @ 15:18 | Posted in » Religion

I am Roman Catholic. Yet, I do not understand some things about my religion.

One is supposed to forgo eating meat on Fridays during Lent as a sacrifice, much like Christ’s sacrifice for us. I recognize the symbolism and have no problem with the practice. As I understand it, there are dispensations to this for infants, elderly, and the sick. I think we can all understand and appreciate those.

What the heck is going on then with the bishops of New Jersey caving in this year because St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday in Lent?

McClutchy found out in church that Newark Archbishop John Myers has granted a special dispensation to allow Catholics to eat meat on Friday, despite it being prohibited during Lent.

But I wonder about the reasoning employed:

Myers granted the special dispensation because “everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day” and because it’s important to honor the custom, said Jim Goodness, a spokesman for the archdiocese.

Huh? The party is more important than walking in Christ’s footsteps?

As many readers know, I was reared Episcopalian. There was a term used that my wife takes exception to, but certainly seems appropriate here, to describe this wishy-washy approach to religion: cafeteria Catholics. I’ll have a little bit of this, a little bit of that, but none of that stuff. Apparently, the sacrifice of meat, much like birth control, is too much for many Catholics.

At least Bishop Galante of Camden holds the correct approach by requesting that the parishoner plea his case of hardship. One would certainly feel foolish, I suspect, calling the bishop and stating that it is a hardship not to have corned beef with his green beer.

This isn’t Burger King; you can’t craft your Catholicism the way you want it. Sigh . . . you either are or you aren’t. Hold your party on Saturday instead. Don’t you think the son of God is worth it?