State authorities in eastern Indian Bihar state have cancelled the church’s license to make sacramental wine saying it violates a law passed in April banning alcohol.
Despite the law prohibiting the production and use of alcohol, the government had allowed Catholic churches to continue to use wine for Mass.
“All kinds of alcohol are banned in the state and the use of sacramental wine by the church is against this law,” State Excise Commissioner, Aditya Kumar Das told the press in Patna recently.
There was a chance of abusing the exemption given to the church and so the department is bound to cancel it, he said.
Jesuit Brother Francis Thattaparambil, in charge of the church winery in Patna Archdioceses that produces wine for the entire state, said that he is “expecting officials to come and close the winery any time now.”
The Jesuit winery has been producing wine with a legal permit for more than 50 years, Brother Thattaparambil said.
“The Hindi word for wine is drakharas [literally, grape juice],” said Brother Thattaparambil. “This is a better definition since it is not meant for drinking as an intoxicating element.”
“We are afraid some elements from the Hindu community are behind this because the government banned alcohol in Hindu temples,” said a Catholic priest, who requested his name not to be published.
“It is ridiculous to compare our use of wine for sacramental purpose with that of Hindu worship where bottles of liquor are offered to idols,” he said.
Gabriel John, a Catholic leader of Patna Archdiocese said the laity would fight against the ban. “Let the church authorities discuss and decide if an alternative could be allowed,” he said.
Brother Thattaparambil said grape juice is a fine alternative but it will go bad fast and can’t always be made available. “We ferment it for preservation,” he explained.
Father Devasia Mattathilany, Patna archdiocesan spokesperson, said that they will appeal to the government to reconsider the ban as Mass wine is “an integral part of our liturgy.”
Legal experts say since the law bans alcohol of every kind, the government will have to pass a resolution in the legislative assembly to free sacramental wine from the prohibition.
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Nitish Kumar has gone absolutely loony.
Is he pandering to the Jihadi Muslims or ISIS or what?
Doesn’t the man know the difference between sacramental wine, wines, beer, and hard liquors?
He’s losing whatever support he had from the educated elite.
Those illiterate village women will not be so kind to him in the next round.
Most major international conferences have fled Bihar .
Now watch out as the Christian community will become radicalized.
Oh, By the way, Khushi Kishore of Patna Women’s college – one HOPES you were joking…. uh, did you REALLY mean what you say in your two paisa comment?
Bihar has been banned from producing and selling liquor by govt authorities, and resisting the order in the shadow of religion is a mere act of disregard of govt. Dragging religion in midst of politics will only add a black spot on the holy beliefs of people and order of the state. People must see from the eyes of govt authorities and should think for the betterment of society as they are a part of it as well. Religion must not be dragged in a cold war between will of people and society’s welfare. Hence, people should consider the decision to be fair.
Khushi Kishore, Patna Women’s College
This is the stupidest comment ever! Khushi Kishore has absolutely no clue about anything!
1- the Nitish Kumar government thinks its a Taliban or something. the liquor ban is the stupidest thing ever.
2- Alcohol in mild forms are used for several hindu rituals as well. Durga puja is now coming and if you have any understanding of the many Hindu rituals observed by Hindu communities, there is an offering of alcohol as well. Find out before you write such things.
3- sacramental wine is not ‘liquor’. It is part of the Puja offering of Christians for over 2,000 years. Imagine, a student of Patna Women’s college, run by Catholics doesn’t know anything about Christianity.
4- Is this a secular country that propagates freedom of religious practice or not? Why the hell should ‘people consider the decision to be ‘fair?’