Catholic Regulations for Lent
The spiritual dependence of members of the Roman Catholic Church upon the word and authority of men rather than upon God, is forcibly shown in the Catholic regulations for Lent, which are published each year in the official church organs at this season. The regulations state who are bound to fast during this period, and who are exempt from fasting, and just what is “permitted” to fasters in the preparation, quality, and quantity of each meal. For example: “It is allowed in the morning to take some warm liquid, as tea, coffee, or thin chocolate, made with water, and with this liquid a mouthful of bread.” If milk were used instead of water, or two mouthfuls taken with the liquid, it would be a sin! Such is the arbitrary nature of spiritual allegiance of man to his fellow man. It is slavery. Another statement indicates the attitude of the Catholic Church toward the use of intoxicants; thus: “Those who avail themselves of this indult are not allowed to use flesh meat and fish at the same meal, and they are earnestly exhorted to perform some other act of mortification, such as abstinence from intoxicating liquors.” Such abstinence, necessitated at all times by the practise of Christian temperance, is enjoined only at stated seasons, and is then exalted to the place of an act of merit, by this church. At other times this “act of mortification” is not essential. The whole observance of Lent is based upon the propensity of human nature to try to atone, by a season of self-denial, for worldly indulgence during the remainder of the year. The Catholic religion is the religion of human nature.