Shortages of every day consumer goods in Venezuela could affect the sacrament of holy communion in Catholic churches.<br/> <br />The country is facing shortages in close to 20 percent of basic goods including toilet paper, detergents, wheat and corn flour.<br/> <br />Church leaders say besides reducing the amount of wine used during mass, they might have to start importing it from other countries.<br/> <br />Government officials say the shortages are caused by panicked buying and merchants who hoard goods to artificially inflate prices.<br/> <br />The opposition though says the problem is caused by currency controls and years of nationalizations that weakened private industry and left businesses unwilling to invest.<br/> <br />The government has agreed to work with business leaders although it is struggling to provide sufficient hard currency to businesses for the importation of goods.
