Mackerel Snapper, or Mackeral Snapper, is a sectarian slur for Roman Catholics, originating in the U.S. in the 1850s and referring to the pre-Vatican II custom of Friday abstinence. The Friday abstinence from meat (red meat and poultry) distinguished Catholics from other Christians, especially in North America, where Protestant churches prevailed and Catholics tended to be poor immigrants from Italy and Ireland.

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  • Mackerel Snapper, or Mackeral Snapper, is a sectarian slur for Roman Catholics, originating in the U.S. in the 1850s and referring to the pre-Vatican II custom of Friday abstinence. The Friday abstinence from meat (red meat and poultry) distinguished Catholics from other Christians, especially in North America, where Protestant churches prevailed and Catholics tended to be poor immigrants from Italy and Ireland. One example of the term's use comes from a letter to University of Notre Dame president Fr. Matthew Walsh from an anonymous Klansman who was upset with the recent actions of Notre Dame students in breaking up a Klan rally in South Bend: The moniker "Mackerel Snapping Anarchist" has been adopted by some students on the Notre Dame campus in much the same way the originally insulting "Fighting Irish" was adopted by the University as a nickname and source of pride. The Church still calls Catholics to a Friday abstinence. However, individual Catholics are allowed to choose their own form of abstinence. Catholics are still called to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and every Friday of Lent.
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  • Mackerel Snapper, or Mackeral Snapper, is a sectarian slur for Roman Catholics, originating in the U.S. in the 1850s and referring to the pre-Vatican II custom of Friday abstinence. The Friday abstinence from meat (red meat and poultry) distinguished Catholics from other Christians, especially in North America, where Protestant churches prevailed and Catholics tended to be poor immigrants from Italy and Ireland.
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  • Mackerel Snapper
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