Moment Of Duh: Archbishop Says Alcoholism Is Ruining Mexican Families

Archbishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello of Antequera-Oaxaca has issued a press release warning that alcoholism has become a social illness and Mexicans need to combat the problem starting at home. He seemingly forgets that, according to Mexican culture, every family event (wedding, funeral, teenage pregnancy) is marked with a barbecue, and tequila shots.

Says Archbishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello of Antequera-Oaxaca (it’s such a good name):

“Alcoholism is an illness that harms not only a person’s physical health but also his capacity to make decisions and his behavior by distorting reality. It is an illness that affects the mind and the will, and consequently, human relationships as well.”

A recent national poll showed that underage drinking was on the rise among Mexico’s young adults and children. This prompted the archbishop to rhetorically ask:

“What is the environment like inside the family? What is the example of the parents? How and with whom do the children and young people spend their free time? Who are the friends of their children? How are these problems discussed in the family?”

Is this guy an archbishop or our school counselor? We personally find it difficult to believe that Mexicans will give up alcohol for the sake of their children. That’s not an insult to Mexico. It’s just obvious that alcohol plays an important part of familial-socializing in Mexico and Mexican culture. We’re not saying it’s okay to get piss-drunk at every birthday party and call us weird Spanish nicknames [Ed. hote: Uncle Lupe, why do you call us "mostaza"? Are you saying we're yellow?] but we are saying sometimes getting piss-drunk at birthday parties helps deal with uncles who feel the need to give everyone unflattering nicknames.

Archbishop warns alcoholism wreaking havoc on Mexican society [Catholic News Agency]