New Jersey Bishop tells his diocese that they can eat meat on Fridays during Lent because they have made ‘many other sacrifices’ in the midst of the coronavirus – but they can’t have it on GOOD FRIDAY
- The motivational message came from Reverend James Checchio, head of the Diocese of Metuchen, in a Thursday message to his parishioners
- Diocese encompasses Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties in New Jersey
- Checchio’s statement says that parishioners can eat meat on Fridays but not on Good Friday
- In a March 16 directive from the bishop, Reverend Checchio announced that it was temporarily suspending of public penance services and of public masses
- There are currently 8,825 confirmed coronavirus cases in New Jersey, with 108 confirmed deaths
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
The motivational message came from Reverend James Checchio, head of the Diocese of Metuchen, in a Thursday message to his diocese
New Jersey Catholics were told by their local bishop that they could partake in eating meat on Fridays as hardships brought on by the coronavirus were causing them to make ‘many sacrifices’.
The motivational message came from Reverend James Checchio, head of the Diocese of Metuchen, in a Thursday message to his parishioners.
The diocese encompasses Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties in New Jersey. According to their website, the diocese represents 90 parishes and 27 schools.
Checchio said in a statement: ‘Given the difficulties of abstaining some types of food and the many other sacrifices which we are suddenly experiencing given the coronavirus, I have granted a dispensation from abstaining from meat on Fridays for the rest of Lent, except Good Friday which is universal law.’
In a March 16 directive from the bishop, Reverend Checchio announced that it was temporarily suspending of public penance services and of public masses.
Checchio’s statement says that parishioners can eat meat on Fridays but not on Good Friday
First Penance, First Holy Communion and Sacrament Confirmation were all postponed. Schools were following the direction of the state.
Last week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order mandating that all non-essential retail businesses close their stores and almost all state residents stay home to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The order affects some 9 million residents in the state and exempts those who work in essential services such as healthcare and the food industry, the governor said at a news conference. The order banned all gatherings including weddings and parties, Murphy said.
There are currently 8,825 confirmed coronavirus cases in New Jersey, with 108 confirmed deaths (Officials at a nursing home in New Jersey)
‘My job is to make sure we get through this emergency so that you can safely gather with family and friends later,’ Murphy said.
It came as New Jersey’s top public health official issues a stark warning that she believes ‘we all’ are going to eventually be infected by coronavirus.
There are currently 8,825 confirmed coronavirus cases in New Jersey, with 108 confirmed deaths.