Fwd: Pope announces priests to become taxonomists

[Adolf Ceska]

James H. Beach wrote:

> past Pope (so the story goes --I've not been able to track down which
> one.)
> decreed that the muskrat was a water animal--akin to a fish, in order to
> allow the Polish Catholic citizens of Wyandotte to eat muskrat on Fridays
> during Lent.  

Dr Beach is wrong. I am sure that Polish Catholics are pulling our legs.
Muskrat would have to have fins and scales in order that they would be able
to eat it - legally I mean - on Fridays (and ever):

The Book or Leviticus, Chapter 11 clearly stated:

9 
These may ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and
scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them may ye eat. 
10 
And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all
that swarm in the waters, and of all the living creatures that are in the
waters, they are a detestable thing unto you, 
11 
and they shall be a detestable thing unto you; ye shall not eat of their
flesh, and their carcasses ye shall have in detestation. 
12 
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that is a detestable thing
unto you.

On the contrary, if you consider muskrat an aquatic animal, you will be
considered "unclean until the even," if you eat it.

Adolf Ceska, Victoria, B.C., Canada
Catholic Altar Boy [retired]