Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church has a complex relationship with alcohol. While the Church does not promote drunkenness, it also does not consider moderate alcohol consumption to be a sin. This is reflected in the Bible, which portrays alcohol as both a blessing from God and a potential danger that can be abused. The Church's position on alcohol is also influenced by its liturgical use, with wine being considered necessary for the Eucharist. Within the Catholic Church, there are groups that promote teetotalism, such as the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, while others, like medieval monks, were renowned for their beer and wine production. Today, many Catholics continue to drink alcohol recreationally and socially, viewing it as a gift from God to be appreciated in moderation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol consumption | Acceptable in moderation, but drunkenness is a sin |
| Alcohol in the Bible | Alcoholic beverages appear in the Bible both in usage and poetic expression |
| Alcohol in the Catholic Church | Alcohol is used in the Eucharist, and the Church celebrates saints related to alcohol |
| Alcohol and socialising | Drinking is seen as a way to relax and socialise with friends |
| Alcohol and health | St. Paul wrote about the medicinal benefits of wine, but excessive drinking is unhealthy |
| Alcohol and decision-making | Drinking in moderation is acceptable, but losing the ability to make decisions due to alcohol consumption is a sin |
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What You'll Learn
The Bible and Catholic Church condemn drunkenness, but not drinking
The Bible and Catholic Church do not promote drunkenness, but they also do not condemn drinking in moderation.
The Bible is ambivalent towards alcohol, considering it both a blessing from God and a potential danger that can be abused. Several passages in the Bible praise wine, and having "plenty" of wine is considered a divine blessing. Wine was also used at ancient Jewish festivals and on the Sabbath, and was offered as a libation in Jewish rituals. However, excessive drinking is condemned in the Bible, with many passages implying that drunkenness is a sin. For example, Ephesians 5:18 states that one can "get drunk with wine" and Paul commands against doing so.
The Catholic Church holds a similar view, believing that moderate consumption of alcohol is not a sin. Medieval monks were allotted about 5 liters of beer per day, and brewing was common in monasteries. St. Paul also wrote about the medicinal benefits of wine. However, the Catholic Church condemns drunkenness as a loss of the ability to make decisions, which is considered a sin.
While some Catholic organizations, such as the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, promote teetotalism as an expression of devotion, this is not the dominant view within the Catholic Church. Catholics are generally welcome to drink and appreciate alcohol in moderation, as many of the saints are believed to have done.
In summary, while drunkenness and excessive drinking are condemned in the Bible and by the Catholic Church, moderate alcohol consumption is not considered a sin and is even praised in certain contexts.
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Alcohol is used in Catholic sacraments and rituals
The consumption of wine during Mass is not considered the consumption of alcohol or the ingestion of an illegal substance. In correctional institutions, inmates may be permitted to receive small amounts of wine as part of a religious ritual, but only under the supervision of chaplains, religious contractors, or authorised volunteers. The priest offering Mass must be allowed to consume a small amount of wine as part of the religious ritual.
The Bible, which is followed by the Catholic Church, does not condemn all use of alcohol or wine but instead condemns drunkenness. The Bible also praises wine in several passages, and having "plenty" of wine is considered a divine blessing.
The Catholic Church continues to view alcoholic beverages as a "transitory temporal good" that can be used well or badly. Saints like St. Arnulf of Metz and St. Arnold of Soissons became patron saints of brewers because they advised their flock to drink beer instead of water during times of plague. St. Hildegard of Bingen, a Doctor of the Church, was also a strong advocate for beer, mead, and wine.
Some Catholic organisations, like the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, require complete abstinence from alcoholic drinks as an expression of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. However, the general view among Catholics is that moderate consumption of alcohol is not a sin.
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Catholic saints and thinkers have embraced drinking
While the Catholic Church does not promote drinking, it also does not consider alcohol to be inherently evil or immoral. The Bible, which serves as the basis for Christian views on alcohol, acknowledges that alcohol can be both a blessing from God and a potential danger when abused. This ambivalent attitude towards alcohol is reflected in the teachings and practices of Catholic saints and thinkers throughout history.
Catholic saints have had a complex relationship with alcohol, embracing it in some cases while also recognizing the importance of moderation and abstinence in certain contexts. Saints like St. Adrian, St. Amand, St. Martin, and St. Vincent are specifically associated with alcoholic beverages and are considered patron saints of beer, brewers, wine merchants, and vintners, respectively. These saints, along with others like St. Arnulf of Metz, St. Arnold of Soissons, and St. Hildegard of Bingen, recognized the sanitary benefits of drinking beer and wine over water, which often carried pathogens before modern treatment methods. Their recommendations were rooted in practical concerns for their flock's health during times of plague and other diseases.
St. Hildegard of Bingen, a Doctor of the Church, advocated for the moderate consumption of beer, mead, and wine, believing they contributed to health and vitality. Similarly, St. Arnold of Metz's famous quote, "From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world," expresses gratitude for the gift of beer. These saints' views align with the concept of drinking with gratitude, emphasizing that moderation is a way to express appreciation to God for the goodness of creation.
Catholic thinkers and theologians have also contributed to the discussion around alcohol consumption. Thomas Aquinas, a prominent Dominican friar and "Doctor Angelicus" of the Catholic Church, asserted that moderation in wine is sufficient for salvation. However, he also acknowledged that perfection, in certain cases, may require abstinence, depending on individual circumstances. Aquinas's perspective underscores the importance of balance and discernment in one's approach to alcohol.
The liturgical year and the celebration of saints' feast days provide opportunities for pious drinkers to incorporate ritual components, such as toasting, into their celebrations. Toasting has deep religious roots, originally involving the pouring out of the first portion of one's drink as an offering to the divine. This ritualized drinking practice adds a layer of sacredness to the act of sharing a drink with others.
In conclusion, while Catholic saints and thinkers have not promoted drinking in the sense of encouraging excessive or irresponsible alcohol consumption, they have embraced drinking as a legitimate aspect of human life that can be enjoyed with gratitude, moderation, and ritual significance. Their teachings reflect a nuanced understanding of alcohol's role in Christian tradition and its potential for enhancing celebrations and communal experiences.
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Some Catholic groups advocate for teetotalism
While the Catholic Church does not promote teetotalism, some Catholic groups advocate for it as an expression of devotion to Jesus. The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, for instance, is a Catholic teetotal temperance organization that requires its members to abstain completely from alcoholic drinks.
The Bible, which forms the basis of Christian views on alcohol, does not prohibit drinking alcohol. Instead, it condemns drunkenness, which is considered a sin. Passages in the Bible imply that excessive drinking or drunkenness is characteristic of the wicked. For instance, Ephesians 5:18 states that one can get "drunk with wine," and Paul commands against this. Similarly, the New Testament oinos ("wine") was a fermented drink, and the Bible differentiates between "wine" and "strong drink," which refers to intensely alcoholic liquor.
The view that alcohol consumption is permissible in moderation is the most common and dominant view among Christians worldwide, including Roman Catholics. Medieval monks, for example, were allotted about 5 liters of beer per day and were allowed to drink beer during fasts. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar and "Doctor Angelicus" of the Catholic Church, stated that moderation in wine is sufficient for salvation, but that abstinence may be required for certain persons depending on their circumstances.
Some Catholics enjoy drinking and appreciate alcohol, seeing it as one of the fruits of God's creation. They believe that drinking in moderation is an art that involves a discerning palate, mindfulness, and self-knowledge. This view is supported by authors like Michael Foley, who wrote "Drinking with the Saints: The Sinner's Guide to a Holy Happy Hour," promoting the type of temperate drinking embraced by the saints.
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Catholics are advised to drink mindfully and moderately
The Catholic Church does not promote teetotalism, and Catholics are welcome to drink and appreciate alcohol. However, the Bible and the Catholic Church condemn drunkenness, and Catholics are advised to drink mindfully and moderately.
The Bible does not prohibit drinking alcohol, and there are several references to alcoholic beverages in the Bible, both in usage and poetic expression. The Bible is ambivalent towards alcohol, considering it a blessing from God that brings merriment, but also a potential danger that can be unwisely and sinfully abused. For instance, in Ephesians 5:18, Paul commands his readers not to get drunk with wine.
The Catholic Church's position on alcohol aligns with the dominant view among Christians worldwide, which is that alcohol consumption is permissible but should be done in moderation. Medieval monks, for example, were allowed to drink beer during fasts, and monasteries were renowned for creating beer and wine. Thomas Aquinas, a Catholic theologian, stated that moderation in wine is sufficient for salvation, but that perfection requires abstinence for certain persons, depending on their circumstances.
While Catholics are not expected to abstain from alcohol completely, they should be mindful of the potential for alcohol abuse and the negative impact it can have on their lives and their ability to follow Christ's teachings.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church does not promote drinking per se, but it also does not reject drinking in and of itself. The Bible and the Catholic Church condemn drunkenness, but not the consumption of alcohol or wine. The Church considers moderate drinking to be permissible.
The Bible is ambivalent towards alcohol, considering it both a blessing from God and a potential danger that can be unwisely and sinfully abused. The Bible does praise wine in several passages and mentions that Jesus' first miracle was to provide an abundance of the best wine for a group of wedding guests.
Catholic scholars and authors such as Michael Foley and G.K. Chesterton have written about the joy of drinking in moderation and how it can be appreciated as one of the fruits of God's creation. Foley emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and contemplative presence while drinking.
Yes, within the Catholic Church, there is the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, which is a teetotal temperance organization. Its members practice complete abstinence from alcoholic drinks as an expression of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The view on drinking within Christianity varies, but the most common and dominant view among Christians worldwide, including Roman Catholics, is that moderate alcohol consumption is permissible. Other denominations that share this view include Anglicans, Lutherans, and Eastern Orthodox Christians.
