FASTING AND ABSTINENCE: CHURCH LAW. IMPORTANT FACTS. DISPENSATION

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Below you have some important facts on fasting and abstinence.

CSFH MEME. As to the abstinence during Fridays of Lent, the practice in each country is dependent on the directives of the Bishops’ Conference for that country.

FASTING AND ABSTINENCE: CHURCH LAW. IMPORTANT FACTS. DISPENSATION

1. What is the Church law on fasting?

Fasting is understood as having ONE NORMAL MEAL during the day. Depending on the customs of each country, it is allowed to take a very light breakfast and a very light dinner if the principal meal is lunchtime; or a very light lunch if the principal heavy meal is done at night. During the rest of the day, one must not eat, taking into account that water and medication do not break the fast.

The Code of Canon Law, nn. 1251-1253 state that:

Canon 1251 “Abstinence from eating meat or another food according to the prescriptions of the conference of bishops is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless (“nisi”) they are solemnities; abstinence and fast are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and on the Friday of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. “
Canon 1252 “All persons who have completed their fourteenth year are bound by the law of abstinence; all adults are bound by the law of fast up to the beginning of their sixtieth year. Nevertheless, pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance.”
Can. 1253 “It is for the conference of bishops to determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence and to substitute in whole or in part for fast and abstinence other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety.”

2. Dispensation from fasting and abstinence

Those who have the dispensation from the proper legitimate Church authority ARE NOT OBLIGED to fulfill the Church law on fasting and abstinence.
• Moreover, all those who, due to:
- physical or moral motives, encounter important difficulties e.g., the sick or those recovering from illness, pregnant women, and those who are breast feeding, persons suffering from poverty or malnutrition and those who have to carry out tough manual labor…are also NOT OBLIGED to fulfill this norm on fasting and abstinence.

As a recap, here’s a useful infographic made by ABS-CBN:

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**Pope Francis on his May 13, 2020 General Audience.**

FEB. 23, 2022 UPDATE:

After his Angelus’ speech today, Pope Francis made an urgent appeal regarding the actual eruption of violence in Ukraine. He said:

APPEAL

My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine. Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up. Like me, many people all over the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests. I would like to appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war; who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. I pray that all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilising coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.

And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God’s weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.

Source: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022/documents/20220223-udienza-generale.html
Emphasis mine.