Evening journal., 1895-07-10
ABOUT EATING MEAT.
The Pope's Decree to Allow
it, Except on Friday.
EsPECIALLY AMONG POOH PEOPLE


Where Abstinence Food, Particularly
Fresh Fish, Cannot BE Obtained with
out Dimcuity, the Blshops Now nave
onioial Authority TO Allow the Use OF
Meat. Especially During the Lsnten
season-No Sweeping Law.
A report has been In circulation since
last Sunday that the pope has promul.
gated a decree abolishing ali days of
abstinence IN the year except Fridays.
even during Lent, the decree, however.
being made applicable to poor persons
and their families, only.
Rev. Father Ducey, the eminent New
York priest, when asked about the report
said:
MANY OF the ecclesiastics in this
country have felt for years that the bur.
den of denial placed on the shoulders and
consciences Of the struggling aud working
poor was more than hardship, almost
marty yriom.
They were obliged to observe tho
strict abstinence OF the Lenten season, to
| 20 forth from their Ill ventilated aud
unhealthy homes to work In the poisoned
atmosphere OF sewers and sweatshops, 60
partake Of rotten fish, 30 long eat of the
water II did not know Its own grand
father, or Of lime eggs that sometimes
contained chickens they could not eat.
| Thank God that Leo XIII, has seen
the necessity Of legislatiug for the com
fort OF the poor | know that this
decree OF the Holy Father has been
promulgated in the western part of
these United States. presume that the
most revered archbishop OF New York,
will, in his own wisdom, give this Joyful
information TO the poor Of God in the
archdiocese of New York when he has
formulated the happy announcement.
Formulated Two Month Ago.
u have not seen the official documents
sent to the bishops OF the United
States, replied Father Ducsy, "but this
Information came to me about two
months ago from most Trustworthy
Roman correspondent II has seemed to
me for years that this legislation In
favor OF Gods hardworking poor was
most necessary. What hardship
to ask Of men and women whose fare
Is always meagre, doubtful and
uncertain to practice q denial that
robs them Of their strength and
units them for the proper discharge of
their duties and labor, when the COM
Portable, ths well-to do and the rich and
luxurious feasting sumptuously every
day, enjoying the turtle and the ttrrapin.
find fault, rs have known them to do.
with the hardships Of the holy season Of
Lat
Praise 70 God and to Lso XIII there
Is an end TO starvation aud dissase on
rottsA fish for the poor. They can now
enjoy the luxury, not OF sIrloin and
tenderloin, but they will appreciate q
good piece of corned beef aud enjoy the
happiness OF a round steak
A Sensational Wow, However.
Knowing that Father Ducey Is slightly
, Inclined to Hensationallsm aud making a
gigantic meaning out OF q simple Papal
decree, an EvENING JOURNAL REPRESENT
alive this morning interviewed Vicar
General John A. Lyons &C st. Peters
Pro o-CathedrAl Father Lyons said
THE bishops have been empowered to
m odify the law OF abstinence for work
ingmen and their families when and
where they deem it advisable, but no
such general decree as alluded 20 has
been issued.
because Of the difficulties encountered
In getting abstinence food, such IS fresh
fish, In the western and inland districts.
/ AhuuAta jig hIDnUibhope 10 maze a
request to the Holy Father that some
remedy be suggested by him The Holy
Father after long consideration, then
left IL In the hands Of the bishops OF
America. No such sweeping laws as
those suggested TO abolish all the
abstinence days except Friday were ever
thought Of.
1.-The bishopsl now have the light Ito
suggest other food than that ,fauallv
prescribed among the poor people for
whom abstinence from food cannot be
secured
There is absolutely no necessity for
the now law in Wilmington or on this
Peninsula where we have an abundance
OF sll the food allowed during the fast
/