A Catholic Bishop has advised parents to allow their children take alcohol as it is the best way to teach them self-control.
The Ugandan Catholic priest, Rev Fr Stephen Sserunjogi of Lubaga Cathedral Parish, Kampala Archdiocese during a mass at Musigula village in Lubaga Division, Kampala.
According to Daily Monitor, the Bishop noted that children should be allowed to take a little alcohol in order to decide for themselves what is good an what is evil.
He was quoted to have said: “Children, especially those above 18, have to be taught self-control and how to protect their lives by not drinking too much. Just talking badly about alcohol will be of little help. Let them have some beers or wine and decide for themselves whether it’s good or bad.”
Sounding a note of warning, the Bishop advised that parents should however be careful and caution their wards against alcohol abuse.
Supporting the advice, Mr. Charles Lwanga, 69, a parishioner of the church said parents should make alcohol an open matter as hiding it will serve no good. He further noted that the children’s curiosity will drive them to drink outside if not properly taught and warned from home.
mr. Lwanga further in support of the advise noted that even children of religious leaders engage in binge drinking because they’ve not been properly sensitized.
“Such parents fail to face the facts on the ground. They think by giving alcohol all sorts of bad names will protect the kids.”