Let children taste some alcohol - Catholic priest

Kampala.

A Catholic priest has urged parents to allow their children to taste a little alcohol in order to learn self-control.
According to the Rev Fr Stephen Sserunjogi of Lubaga Cathedral Parish, Kampala Archdiocese, taking some little alcohol is not all that bad but the problem is abusing or taking too much of it.

“Children, especially those above 18, have to be taught self-control and how to protect their lives by not drinking too much. Just talking badly about alcohol will be of little help. Let them have some beers or wine and decide for themselves whether it’s good or bad,” said Fr Sserunjogi.

He made the remarks while celebrating Mass in the home of Mr Edmond Ssempiira, a resident of Musigula village in Lubaga Division, Kampala.

“It doesn’t help at all for parents to always talk badly about alcohol and telling their children never to taste it. Instead let them allow kids to sip some little beer or wine but instead advise them never to take too much of it and alert them of the consequences that this might bring,” he added.

A parishioner, Mr Charles Lwanga, 69, supported the priest.
“You see some parents get it wrong and think that they are acting smartly by hiding booze away from the children,” Mr Lwanga said.
He said children will always be eager to find out about the drink they are always being lectured never to taste.

Mr Lwanga said there are many families with strict parents, teetotallers and even religious leaders whose children end up engaging in binge drinking and turning into nuisance.
“Such parents fail to face the facts on the ground. They think by giving alcohol all sorts of bad names will protect the kids.”
Another parishioner, Mr Francis Kato, said alcohol is not all that bad as some people tend to portray it.
“Even the Bible recommends the taking of some little wine. Otherwise, how come we read in the Bible that at one time even Jesus Himself turned water into wine for people to enjoy?” Mr Kato said.