QUESTION: In the past few weeks there has been some changes in the teaching of the Catholic theology. After 940 years, it is now alright for Catholics to eat meat on Friday, except for Good Friday. The question is from Catholic ministers who find themselves at a loss. They find that after many years of instructions that this was a sin, more than this many have done penitence for breaking this law under the areas of business engagements and other patterns. So is it or is it not a biblical conjuncture that they could or could not eat meat on Friday? Or did the church bring this law entirely on church authority? And if so, why did they relinquish it after 940 years of the historic practice of this?
ANSWER: Well, the only answer is that it had no biblical foundation what so ever. It had no Biblical instruction, was never commanded of God, had no spiritual value what so ever. It had been built to its significance by the Church, and its Priesthood to keep areas of symbolism attached to their religion. It was designed as St. Thomas Aquinis was so careful in explaining, that since Christ was crucified on Friday, this involved the shedding of blood, so no meat would be eaten on Friday. This being a decision of the church because the eating of meat required the shedding of blood. Since Christ was crucified then no animal whose blood was shed would be devoured on Friday. That this had a certain spiritual value and the church through great revelation had come to this area of instruction. This isn’t something which is 1900 years old, it is less than 1000 years since the edict has been made, and Penitence and church judgments were placed on the violations of this declaration.