Derry's Fr Chris Ferguson lightened the hearts of thousands at the weekend, when he said that it was okay to suspend your Lenten fast to celebrate a National Feast Day.
The Waterside priest took to Facebook on Saturday to answer the age-old question of whether you’re allowed to break Lent on Paddy's Day - delighting the internet by announcing that the answer is, indeed, ‘yes’.
Father Chris who serves at the Glendermott Parish responded to an inquisitive Facebook user who sought permission to eat sweets on the day when people traditionally celebrate everything Irish.
The clergyman declared it was a National Feast Day which means you are ‘not supposed to fast’.
He then went further and also informed the social media audience that ‘Sunday’s don’t count, you don’t fast on the day of the Resurrection’.
There were one or two dissenting voices who believe that Lent should be observed for the full forty days.
However, Fr. Ferguson’s comments were liked and shared by scores of others who welcomed the news.
One person wrote: “Half of Derry will be sharing your status if they get wind of it!!! Thanks for clearing that up for us all Catriona Harkin and Christopher Ferguson.”
Another wished she had gotten the news whenever she was five-years-old ‘and wanting chocolate’.
Poll
According to an online poll, a massive 77% of people think it’s acceptable to break Lent on St. Patrick’s Day and just 17% of people said that they would feel guilty about it.
Of those polled 56% stated that they would enjoy a cheeky slice of cake on March 17, while 30% said that they would be snacking on chocolate.
Catholic dioceses have been known to grant dispensations on St. Patrick’s Day, for example last year it fell on a Friday when many Catholics abstain from eating meat, but many churches in the U.S. granted dispensations allowing people to eat corned beef.
As it fell on a Saturday this year the meat eaters needn’t have worried, but as Fr. Ferguson has permitted people to bend the rules of Lent for one day only, eating chocolate can be seen as fully endorsed by the Church.
Fr Chris's words were a big relief for publicans all over Derry, whose clientele might never have dreamt of breaking their Lent if they hadn't got the go-ahead.
Speaking on Saturday, William McGuinness, owner of Peadar O'Donnell's Bar on Waterloo Street, commended the priest's wise advice.
"I would agree with him entirely," he said. "There should, of course, be a special dispensation on Saint Patrick's Day for those who have taken the pledge not to have a drink for the 40 days of Lent.
"Indeed, we have had a couple of them visiting us today already. The only problem is that, because they mightn't have had a drink for a few weeks, after just one or two their heads are getting light!"
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email editor@derrynews.net at any time.