St. Louis Archdiocese: Alcohol to be banned at youth events

ST. LOUIS -- Alcohol sales will be banned at youth-related events within the Archdiocese of St. Louis starting today.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the Archdiocese of St. Louis' new policy prohibits drinking at any events directed primarily toward minors, including sporting events. That means athletic associations will no longer be able to generate revenue from beer at concession stands.

The change was announced by Archbishop Robert J. Carlson in a letter to parishioners last week. He says the change was passed unanimously by an advisory committee of clergy in September, but the letter did not give a reason.

The Rev. Tom Molini, pastor of St. Gerard Majella Church in Kirkwood and a member of the advisory committee, described it as more of a minor tweak than an overhaul. He said the previous policy already discouraged the sale of alcohol at youth-related events and that many parishes prohibited it.

Some St. Louis-area Catholics say the change will hurt parish fundraisers.

"If you have an official, controlled function that raises money for the parish, for a good cause, alcohol in moderation should be allowed," said Tom Carnaghi, 60, who belongs to St. Ambrose parish in the Hill area of St. Louis.

His cousin, 48-year-old Tom Cissi, disagreed.

"If you can't go for two events a year without drinking, you got a problem," he said with a chuckle.

At St. Mary Margaret Alacoque Parish in south St. Louis County, the concession stands have not sold beer in the past year in a trial experiment for the diocese. Keith Louis, president of the parish athletic association, estimated the change cost his organization about $10,000 a year in concession sales -- money that is used to buy uniforms, equipment and cover other costs.

The parish has promised to help make up the difference, and the organization is doing more fundraising.

"We will do what the archbishop wants," Louis said. "Will it make things more difficult for us financially? Yes."