Polish church refuses request of Polish government to punish alcoholics

Classified Polnews

The Polish government through its public prosecutor asked the Polish Roman Catholic Church to read the names of alcoholics at mass. The request to the church was made as Poland continues its crackdown on alcohol in Poland.

Poland

The Polish Government has been making serious efforts to take drunk drivers off the road. See Polish police confiscate cars of drunks on the spot and lenient drunk prosecutors fired . It is also introducing legislation that will ban the drinking of alcohol in stadiums and on beaches. Advertising will be limited and significant fines will be placed on people who put alcohol in the hands of minors. See Polish government continues its campaign against alcoholism

In response to the request by the Polish Government to read the names of alcoholics at mass, the Polish Church has taken the position that it is not up to the Church to punish people.

Some members of the Church say that alcoholism is a violation of the Fifth Amendment that dictates that one should not kill. And people who violate the commandment are sinners who may confess their sins in accordance with Church doctrine.

The issue about reading the names at mass, however, is unsettled since the request has set off a debate within the church.