Mass Problem
Stricter anti-drunk driving standards could hinder Irish priests after Mass
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Dublin, Ireland, Nov 5, 2007 / 10:38 am (CNA).- A developing zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol could affect busy priests in Ireland, the Irish Times reports.

Father Brian D'Arcy of Enniskillen said the shortage of priests means that priests have to drink from the chalice at multiple Masses, which could put them over a proposed stricter legal limit for driving.   "It could be enough for you to fail a drink driving test, and while I don't like to use the word wine, as it is the precious blood in the Eucharist, it still has all the characteristics of wine when in the blood stream," he said.

"Perhaps a small amount would not show up in blood tests but only medically qualified people can decide that. After doing several Masses I often have to drive off immediately to visit some person who may be very ill in hospital," the priest continued.

The current blood alcohol limit in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is 80mg per 100 liters, or 0.08 percent by American Blood Alcohol Concentration standards.  A reduction in that limit is expected within 18 months. 

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Mary Ratigan
Beatrice,Ne. 11/05/2007 11:18 PM EST
This is probably the silliest thing I have heard in a long while. Even a busy Priest rarely says more than three Masses in a day. By observation, we have one in the family)a Priest doesn't use more than about two tablespoons of wine at each consecration. 6 or even 8 tablespoons of wine over a period of time - say six hours, (masses are spaced out with at least an hour inbetween) is not going to raise anyone's blood alcohol level enough to cause them to fail an intoxication test. Who came up with this one???
I am a very Irish person and this is just bunk.
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Published by: Art Schubert
Redding, CA 11/05/2007 02:15 PM EST
Getting drunk fron drinking too much wine (Precious Blood) should never be a problem. If Fr. D'Arcy is so concerned then he need only sip the slightest amount of the Precious Blood, even a single drop will do. As an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, I often finish the remaining wine (Precious Blood)left after the faithful have been served.
Peace be with all of you.
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