Bishops seek response to alcohol challenge

AT the launch of the Catholic bishops’ pastoral letter, ‘Alcohol — the Challenge of Moderation’, people were invited to consider reducing their intake by a third, a half or to abstain completely for four weeks or for Lent.

The pastoral is available in English, Irish and Polish at www.catholiccommunications.ie.

We would welcome comments from anyone who undertook this challenge by post to the address below or email [e-mail]. Comments of particular interest would include:

1. The effort involved.

2. How it affected health, relationships with family and friends.

3. Work performance, socialising and alternative uses of time and money.

These findings will be used to inform the current work of our parish pilot initiatives which are addressing the issue of alcohol/drug abuse at local level. Our overall objective is gradually to change attitudes towards healthier and more responsible ways of enjoying alcohol.

Bishop Eamonn Walsh

Vice-Chair

Bishops’ Drug and Alcohol Initiative

Columba Centre

Maynooth Co

Kildare