Lenten Leniency: Many Catholics Get Green Light To Have Corned Beef For St. Patrick's Day

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Many Roman Catholics who ordinarily abstain from eating meat on Fridays during the 40 days before Easter have been given a "Paddy Pardon'' for St. Patrick's Day.

Many bishops across the country are giving the green light to eating the traditional corned beef and cabbage this year, The Washington-based Catholic News Service reported.

MORE: NYC's Best Restaurants For Corned Beef And Cabbage

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York told parishioners in a letter in January they would be permitted to eat corned beef and other meat dishes on the holiday.

EXTRA: What's Cardinal Dolan Giving Up For Lent?

As of late February, dioceses or archdioceses allowing the pardon also included Baltimore; Milwaukee; St. Paul and Minneapolis; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Omaha, Nebraska; and Jefferson City, Missouri.

St. Patrick's Day: Parade Guide | Where To Celebrate | Transit Schedules & Street Closures | Best Irish Pubs

Catholics were advised that if they enjoyed the dispensation they should do an extra act of charity in exchange.

PHOTOS: 256th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

Catholics typically refrain from eating meat on Fridays during the Lenten Season which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.