Bishop Stika issues dispensation from Lenten abstinence March 17

This year, the Memorial of St. Patrick falls on Friday, March 17.  It is well known that St. Patrick’s Day is a day of convivial celebration for many American Catholics.

Therefore, Bishop Stika has issued a dispensation decree stating: “On Friday, March 17, 2023, all Catholics of the Diocese of Knoxville, by my authority, are dispensed from the abstinence obligation (can. 87 §1).  It is not required that anyone make use of this dispensation. Those who do wish to make use of it are encouraged to abstain from meat on some other day as part of their penitential practices and to engage in some additional act of prayer, service to the poor, or almsgiving.”