US Roman Catholic bishops did away with the rule against eating meat on Fridays.

Historical Significance and Background

In 1966, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops decided to lift the rule that Catholics should abstain from eating meat on Fridays, except for Good Friday. This decision marked a significant change in the practices of the American Catholic Church.

The 1960s were a period of rapid social and cultural changes in the United States. During this time, the Catholic Church was inclined to make certain reforms to respond to the expectations of the modernizing society and to increase the commitment to the Church.

Prior to the event, it was common for Catholics to abstain from eating meat on Fridays. This rule was implemented to ensure that Catholics do not consume meat on Fridays, the day Jesus was crucified. However, this rule only applied to Good Fridays, and eating meat was allowed on other Fridays.

Development of the Event

Conference and Debates

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops convened in 1966 to discuss the lifting of the rule that Catholics should abstain from eating meat on Fridays. Bishops from different dioceses had different views on this matter. Some argued that abstaining from meat was an important discipline for Catholics, while others believed that the rule should be lifted to adapt to the changing needs of modern society.

Lifting of the Rule

At the end of the conference, a majority vote decided to lift the rule that Catholics should abstain from eating meat on Fridays. This decision was considered a significant change in the practices of the Catholic Church in the United States. Catholics were now allowed to eat meat on Fridays.

Consequences and Effects

The short-term effects of the decision included the freedom for Catholics to have a more varied selection of meals on Fridays. This allowed Catholics to have a wider range of food choices and increased the freedom to make personal preferences, which in turn enhanced the commitment to the Church.

Among the long-term consequences were the efforts of the Catholic Church to adapt to the needs of modern society and its reform tendencies. This decision allowed the Church to have a more flexible and adaptable structure, facilitating the Catholic community's ability to respond to changing expectations in the modern world.

Furthermore, this decision also had an impact on social and political changes. The reforms of the Catholic Church inspired similar demands for change among other religious and social groups, contributing to the spread of a more liberal approach in society.

Historical Significance and Reflections to the Present Day

The historical significance of this event lies in the role of the Catholic Church in the process of modernization and how it responds to the changing needs of society. This decision symbolizes the Church's adoption of a more contemporary approach and the reevaluation of its traditional practices.

Today, the Catholic Church in the United States still maintains the lifting of the rule to abstain from eating meat on Fridays. This decision has facilitated greater interaction between the Church and society and has enabled the Church to adapt to changes in the modern world.

This event serves as an example of the Church's ability to cope with challenges throughout its history and to adapt to changing social norms. It can also be considered a significant turning point in the history of the Catholic Church.