THIRUVANTHAPURAM - At the start of Advent, A Roman Catholic Cardinal in Kerala, India, has urged Christians to celebrate an alcohol-free Christmas this year.

Cardinal Varkey Virthayathil urged believers in his Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese to celebrate Christmas in a more sober and meaningful way.

In a letter addressed to the 94,807 families in his archdiocese in Kerala state, the head of the Syro Malabar Church said he regretted that alcohol consumption had become an central part of all Christian celebrations, whether Christmas, Easter or family occassions.

Cardinal Vithayathil told UCA News that he issued the letter after hearing many priests share experiences from parishes, and after receiving letters from two children of alcoholic fathers.

The prelate was inspired by a letter from a high school student whose father spends all his earnings on liquor.

"I was touched by his letter," he said, explaining that the father "never takes care of his children or pays money for their education."

Pointing out the dangers of consuming too much alcohol, the Cardinal said, "The hard-earned money that could educate our children and provide them better care is wasted for a few hours of intoxication. It's a sin against your families.

"We must say no to liquor. I appeal to all the faithful to celebrate a liquor-free Christmas this year."

Kerala, where Christians make up 19 per cent of the 32 million-strong population, is one of the highest alcohol-consuming states in India.

Christian Life Community (CLC), a Christian unit under the archdiocese, has already begun a campaign urging families to observe an alcohol-free Christmas and is encouraging youths to join in the campaign.

"Christmas reminds us about Jesus' love for mankind. But it's sad that it also reminds us about the peril to our families, as the use of liquor is at a maximum during the Christmas season," a CLC official told UCA news.