eating blood

Father Mateo (76776.306@compuserve.com)
04 Mar 96 08:34:30 EST

To: cinaskf@catinfo.cts.com
960212.09
> From: Ajig Alcalde <ajig@max.ph.net>
> Date: Mon, 12 Feb 1996 00:24:23 +0800 (GMT+0800)
> Subject: Animal blood
>
> Dear Father Mateo,
>
> Over here in the Philippines, we have a dish called 'dinuguan'.
> It's black stew made from pork, liver, and PIG'S BLOOD. It's a
> traditional, mainstream dish which everyone loves, including,
> presumably, all our bishops and priests. You should not fail to
> try it when you visit us.
>
> My question is, does Acts 15:20 still apply to Catholics
> (or anybody else)? Are we forbidden from eating animal
> blood?
>
> Regards,
>
> Ajig Alcalde

Dear Ajig,

The prohibition of eating animal blood was a compassionate legislation
to spare the feelings of the early Christians of Jewish background.
The council of Jerusalem had declared (against the party of the
Pharisees) that a Christian need not be circumcised for salvation.
The dietary regulation was an after thought to placate the Jews.

The Church has always considered all foods clean. The situation
suggesting abstention from blood did not last very long, so the
council regulation became moot.

Sincerely in Christ,
Father Mateo

- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit -

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