CLEVELAND — "After prayerful consideration," the Bishop of Cleveland has decided area Catholics can eat meat on St. Patrick's Day this year.
The annual Irish celebration falls on a Friday in 2023, and with it being Lent, that would technically prevent Roman Catholics from consuming any type of meat. However, Bishop Edward C. Malesic chose to grant a special dispensation for the feast day, allowing the faithful to still chow down on corned beef, Irish stew, shepherd's pie, and other favorite meals.
"I ask that those who exercise this dispensation and eat meat on the Feast of St. Patrick to select another non-Friday day during Lent to abstain from eating meat or to make some offering on behalf of the poor, whether by prayer, fasting or almsgiving," Malesic said in a statement issued Monday. "Be assured of my prayers for all the faithful who continue to strive to imitate the joy of the saints and follow their example with the same seriousness and commitment with which they practiced their faith."
The relaxing of the rules for St. Paddy's Day in Cleveland is not unprecedented, with acting Bishop Daniel Edward Thomas granting a similar dispensation in 2017, the last time the holiday fell on a Lenten Friday. This year, waivers have also been granted in the Dioceses of Toledo and Youngstown, meaning most of Northeast Ohio is covered.
Malesic has said the dispensation is "for those who feel it absolutely necessary to celebrate," and while we're guessing that statement will apply to most of the area, those who still want to abstain from meat that Friday can check out WKYC.com's extensive fish fry guide for other options. Just know you can partake in some Slyman's corned beef without feeling guilty!