Archbishop welcomes liquor policy in Thiruvananthapuram

Calling upon the Opposition to cooperate with the government to ensure that the announcement became a reality, the Archbishop said the promise of total prohibition gave great expectations to families.

Archbishop of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram Soosa Pakiam M. has welcomed the State government’s decision to shut down all bars in the State and gradually move towards total prohibition.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, the Archbishop congratulated Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran. The Archbishop said he was elated. He, however, said a concerted effort by the government, non-governmental and social organisations, and religious organisations was necessary to ensure implementation of the policy and to avoid the possibility of hooch or illicit liquor tragedies.

Calling upon the Opposition to cooperate with the government to ensure that the announcement became a reality, the Archbishop said the promise of total prohibition gave great expectations to lakhs of families, homemakers and children in the State.

The Church, he said, would extend all support to the government in this regard.

Vicar-General Eugene H. Pereira too was present.