Manila Fil-Chi Catholics may eat meat during Chinese New Year, a Friday

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle officiates a mass on Ash Wednesday at the Arzobispado de Manila in Intramuros, Manila on March 1, 2017. For Roman Catholics Ash Wednesday opens the season of Lent, a day devoted to fasting, reconciliation and prayer. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Filipino-Chinese and Chinese Catholics living within the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Manila may still eat meat during the Chinese New Year.

The Archdiocese of Manila has granted them a dispensation from the Lenten discipline of abstinence during the Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb. 16, a Friday.

It’s the Friday after Feb. 14, which is Ash Wednesday, according to the Church’s liturgical calendar.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle said the granting of the dispensation was on occasion of the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year.

The dispensation was granted in Circular No. 2018-01 dated Jan. 19, signed by Tagle.

However, the prelate reminded those availing the dispensation that they should “engage in some other forms of penance, acts of mercy and charity, especially to the poor and those who suffer.”

This was “in keeping with the penitential spirit of Lent,” Tagle added.

A dispensation is the exemption from immediate obligation in certain cases, according to the canon law of the Catholic Church.

Catholics who are 14 years old and older are required to abstain from meat and to fast on all Fridays of Lent, as well as on Ash Wednesday, and on Good Friday. /atm