THE CHURCH

By RICHARD N. OSTLING/NEW YORK

Fishmongers, rejoice. If the U.S. Roman Catholic bishops have their way, the eating of fish on Fridays may once again become a habit for American Catholics. When the hierarchy meets this week in Washington, it is likely to approve a one-year study on how to revive the old penitential practice of abstaining from meat each Friday. The bishops' pro-life committee wants the dietary regimen to serve as a silent protest against the "culture of death," especially legalized abortion and euthanasia. No meat on Fridays was long a strict church rule, observed by millions "under pain of sin." But in 1966, after the Second Vatican Council liberalized many other practices, POPE PAUL VI permitted bishops in each country to set their own dietary practices. But now Friday may once again mean fish fingers.

--By Richard N. Ostling/New York