Catholics granted meat dispensation for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Archbishop Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has granted a dispensation from the obligation of abstinence from meat on St. Patrick's Day, which falls on a Friday during Lent this year. However, he suggests that those who take advantage of the dispensation undertake an act of charity, piety, or comparable penance on another occasion during the Third Week of Lent. More than 70% of U.S. diocesan bishops are allowing Catholics to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day this year.