text: As regards ambiguity, here is an interesting story. The diocese put out its usual Lenten Regulations announcement.  It said Catholics were to abstain from meat on Lenten Fridays.  A devout man in our parish asked the priest if deliberately eating meat on a Friday in Lent is a mortal sin.  The priest called the chancery.  He asked, "Is it a mortal sin to deliberately eat meat on a Friday in Lent?" The response was, "It can be."
  The priest told the man the chancery's response.  The man said, "When you people get your act together, I'll obey."