Bishop appeals to Poles for sobriety. "Plague of abuse"

Bishop Tadeusz Bronakowski appealed to the faithful to voluntarily give up drinking alcohol before the beginning of Lent. - It depends on each of us whether we will be a sober nation - he pointed out and asked for joint prayer for the intention to overcome the "plague of alcohol abuse" in Poland.

Next Sunday begins the Week of Prayer for the Nation’s Sobriety, which will last until March 8.

On this occasion, the chairman of the Polish Episcopal Conference Team for the Apostolate of Sobriety and Addicts, Bishop Tadeusz Bronakowski, appealed to the faithful to voluntarily give up alcohol during the upcoming Lent .

SEE: "Alcohol advertising must be banned and its availability must be restricted." Bishop appeals

- Let us not wait until Ash Wednesday , but already from Sunday, March 2, let us offer this beautiful gift of the heart to God with a request for salvation for the enslaved - encouraged the hierarch at the Episcopal conference.

He also asked all believers to pray constantly for sobriety and get involved in this initiative.

Bishop Bronkowski reminded that the slogan of this year's week of prayer is "Responsible for sobriety."

- It depends on each of us whether we will be a sober nation , and thus a strong and free nation. We cannot transfer this responsibility to others - the priest pointed out.

As he emphasized, " everyone must face the truth and answer the question of whether they cultivate sobriety in their everyday life and whether they care about the fate of their neighbors in this space."

- Each of us must fight for this important value in our lives, in our families and communities, and also in the wider environment - he added.

SEE: Last year, Poles spent a fortune on alcohol. The amount increased by almost 10 percent.

The bishop also emphasized that the fight against evil is, above all, a spiritual fight.

- That is why we pray together for overcoming the plague of alcohol abuse in our nation . We pray for the recovery of sobriety by addicts - he appealed.

During the KEP conference, demands were also made regarding the presence of alcohol in public spaces. Bishop Bronakowski supported the ban on the sale of alcohol at gas stations , arguing that it poses a threat to drivers.

SEE: Alcohol problem. Poles drink more and more

In turn, Father Dawid Napiwodzki from the Sobriety Apostolate Center in Zakroczym spoke about the role of the Church in creating a space for addicts who need support on their path to sobriety.

Dr. hab. Krzysztof Wojcieszek from the KEP Team for the Apostolate of Sobriety emphasized that a strong bond with parents and educators as well as religious activity of young people are key to protection against the abuse of addictive substances.