Shortage of altar bread, wine for Masses in Venezuela
June 03, 2013
Shortages of wine and hosts made from wheat flour in Venezuela may lead Church officials to ration their use at Mass.
Shortages of widely used items, from milk to sugar to toilet paper, have become widespread in the socialist nation.
“On top of losing hours in order to buy four rolls of [toilet] paper, now we won't even be able to receive Communion as God commands,” a housewife told the Associated Press. "It’s unbelievable."
“We only have enough [wine] for two months,” said Archbishop Roberto Lückert León of Coro. With Venezuela’s sole supplier of altar wine unable to maintain adequate production, priests are now permitted to use more expensive imported wines, the Reuters news agency reported.
“The costs [of imports] would be very high because we don't have access to dollars,” said Archbishop Lückert.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Venezuela Catholic Church fears running out of wine and bread (AP)
- Church wine runs low in latest Venezuelan shortage (Reuters)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
