After pushing for liquor ban, archbishop now demands 900% more wine for church

In an interesting turn of events, it has emerged that the excise department has rejected an application from M Soosai Pakiam, the Latin Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram, seeking enhancement in the annual quota for producing wine used for mass, from the existing 250 litres to 2,500.

Ironically, Soosai Pakiam is also the president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, a religious organisation who were one of the most vocal protesters against the reopening of wine parlours and retail liquor outlets in the state.

The application from Soosai Pakiam says the number of priests in the diocese has increased to 408 and hence they should be permitted to brew 2,500 litres of wine per year, instead of the previous 250 litres.

However, the excise department returned the application early in April, saying it found the demand unreasonable as the increase in quota sought is disproportionate to the number of priests, according to a Times of India report.

"The number of total priests has been enhanced by 77% but the request is to enhance annual quantity of mass wine by 900%. The requested quantity is not in proportion with the number of priests. You are therefore directed to clarify the above point," the joint excise commissioner's letter said in his letter to the archbishop.

The diocese is yet to give a reply or clarification to the excise department regarding their demand.

The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council had strongly objected to the move by the CPM-led government to pass the ordinance which liberalises the liquor policy in the state.

• liquor policy
• church wine