At the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Baltimore on November 13, Archbishop Borys Gudziak proposed a return to Friday abstinence from meat, a practice that was set aside in 1966 except during Lent.
Gudziak, who chairs the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, suggested this initiative as a means of commemorating the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’ 2015 environmental encyclical Laudato Si’, which focuses on care for creation.
“A return to Friday abstinence would be good for the soul and for the planet … uniting our devotion to the Lord and reverence for the Lord’s creation,” Gudziak said, explaining the spiritual and ecological benefits of abstaining from meat.
He referenced the example set by bishops in England and Wales, who reinstated the practice in 2011 following Pope Benedict XVI’s pastoral visit. Known for his environmental advocacy, Pope Benedict XVI was a strong proponent of ecological stewardship.
Gudziak also proposed that the practice of Friday fasting could enhance synodal engagement by reconnecting Catholics with traditional observances like Ember Days and incorporating fasting customs common in Eastern Christian traditions. This move, he said, could foster a deeper connection between Western and Eastern Catholic practices.
In addition to Friday abstinence, Gudziak encouraged bishops to explore Sabbath rest and contemplation of creation as ways to honor both Laudato Si’ and the Jubilee year in 2025.
He suggested activities such as special pilgrimages to local sacred sites and Masses focused on care for creation, particularly on the feast of St. Francis.
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