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Pull Over, Father

Irish clergy oppose new drunk driving standard, fearing it would rule out communion

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2007 5:08 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Irish priests are carping about a government proposal to lower the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers from .08 to .05, fearing that communion wine may make them legally drunk. “I don't like to use the word wine, as it is Christ's blood,” says one priest, “but it still has all the characteristics of wine when in the blood stream.” Non-alcoholic vino is no option, he adds, for it requires case-by-case church approval. 

And with clergy in short supply, some drive long ways to do multiple masses. One priest told Der Spiegel that he'd flout the law if need be. “I often have three Masses to say in one day, and wine is probably now a factor that needs to be seriously considered," he said. "If a call comes in that somebody is nearing death, I have no choice but to drive where that person is and give him or her last rites."

A priest holds a cup of of wine at mass in this undated photo. Irish priests are carping about a plan to drop drivers%u2019 legal blood alcohol level to .05, so low that communion wine might make clergymen flunk it.
A priest holds a cup of of wine at mass in this undated photo. Irish priests are carping about a plan to drop drivers%u2019 legal blood alcohol level to .05, so low that communion wine might make clergymen...   ((c) anaelko)
A priest says a prayer over the Eucharist during the Latin Mass in 2007. Irish priests are carping about a plan to drop drivers' legal blood alcohol level to .05, so low that communion wine might make clergymen flunk it. (AP Photo/Richmond Times-Dispatch, P. Kevin Morley)
A priest says a prayer over the Eucharist during the Latin Mass in 2007. Irish priests are carping about a plan to drop drivers' legal blood alcohol level to .05, so low that communion wine might make...   (Associated Press)
The Pope lifts the communion wine during a visit to Slovakia in this file photo. Irish priests are carping about a plan to drop drivers' legal blood alcohol level to .05, so low that communion wine might make clergymen flunk it.
The Pope lifts the communion wine during a visit to Slovakia in this file photo. Irish priests are carping about a plan to drop drivers' legal blood alcohol level to .05, so low that communion wine might...   (Getty Images)
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Top Irish priest speaks out
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Catholic Church • wine • drunk driving • Ireland • Catholicism • mass

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