Differing voices in church over banning wine

Kochi: Churches in the State seems to be divided over whether or not to use wine in the church services.

Ninety six-year-old Philipose Mar Chrysostom, former head of the Mar Thoma Syrian church, Monday said various churches in the State should reconsider whether or not to use wine in its services.

"For the holy mass, there is no need to use wine". In the earlier days, instead of wine dried grapes soaked in water were given to believers, he said, adding, it could be followed even now, the former Metropolitan said.

Following the Kerala government's decision to close down more than 700 bar hotels, except those in five star hotels, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, an organisation of Ezhava community, president Vallapally Natesan had said there should be a ban on use of wine in services in churches.

Varapuzha Archbishop Dr Francis Kallarackal had earlier stated that wine was integral to mass being concelebrated by Christians all over the world and cannot be banned.

Syro Malabar church spokesperson Father Paul Thelekat told PTI that the tradition of using wine for holy mass is continued in every church. "No church uses anything other than wine. We will continue the tradition".