FROM THE ARCHIVES:With wartime conditions finally easing five years after the conflict ended the Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid, reminded Catholics of their Lenten duties, and of a long list of other instructions from education to communism. –
JOE JOYCE
OWING TO the restoration of more normal conditions, the general law of the Church concerning Lenten fast and abstinence is to be observed in the Diocese of Dublin, state the Lenten regulations issued by the Most Rev. Dr. McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin, and read at Masses in the Diocese yesterday.
The regulations draw attention to the fact that the Church forbids the marriage of a Catholic to a non-Catholic, and refer to the laxity of abstaining from servile work on Sundays, and disapproval is expressed of the practice of women being permitted to compete in cycling and athletics in mixed public sports.
The following regulations are to be regarded as stating the law of the Church for those who are able to fast, without danger to their health or undue strain upon their source of income:
(1) The Faithful between the ages of 21 and 60 years are bound by the law of Fasting and the law of Abstinence. The Faithful who are over seven years and under 21 years of age are bound only by the law of Abstinence.
(2) On all Fast Days the general law of the Church allows only one full meal to be taken. On all Fast Days, in addition to the one full meal, a light repast may be taken each morning and evening. The quantity and kind of food are regulated by the approved custom of the Diocese. In the Diocese of Dublin custom sanctions the use at these repasts of milk, butter and cheese. In this Diocese custom likewise allows the use of an egg or fish at the repast each morning and evening.
(3) On Fast Days which are not days of Abstinence, meat is allowed; but those who are bound to fast may take meat at the one meal only.
(4) The law of Abstinence forbids the use of flesh meat or of any soups made from meat or from meat extracts. Lard or dripping may be used as a condiment on all days of Fast or Abstinence.
(7) No Catholic may enter the Protestant University of Trinity College, without having previously submitted his case to the Ordinary of the Diocese, whose right it is to decide whether attendance may be tolerated.
Any Catholic who deliberately disobeys this law is guilty of mortal sin and is unworthy to receive the Sacraments.
(9) The National University of Ireland, with its three Constituent Colleges, is, by its Charter, a neutral educational establishment. For that reason, it must still be regarded by Catholics as failing to give due acknowledgment to the One, True Faith.
In view of the measures taken by the Ecclesiastical Authorities to protect Faith and Morals, University College, Dublin, in our Diocese, may be considered to be sufficiently safe for Catholic Students.
[ iti.ms/A3DTCi ]