The Catholic Church in Kenya has introduced a new type of wine to be used exclusively during Mass. The decision follows growing concern that the previously used wine had become too common, with the same brand being widely sold in bars, shops, and hotels across the country.

The newly approved wine, simply labeled “Mass Wine”, bears the official seal of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and carries a unique signature confirming its authenticity and approval for liturgical use.

Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri told the BBC that the Church took this step to safeguard the sacredness of the Eucharist.

“The new wine is not sold in hotels or bars. It is imported and distributed solely by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), and only the dioceses receive it,” he said.

Many Catholic faithful have welcomed this move, saying the previous wine had lost its spiritual significance after being easily found and consumed outside the church. In Catholic liturgy, wine symbolizes the Blood of Jesus Christ and is usually consumed by the priest during Mass. In some cases, lay faithful also receive it as part of the Eucharist.

According to Archbishop Muheria, the quality of wine used during Mass is strictly governed by Canon Law, which sets standards for its production and handling.

 “The monitoring of the quality and distribution of Mass wine is done carefully and regularly by the bishops,” he added.

The earlier wine, which was also popular among regular consumers of alcoholic beverages, had become widely available in bars, shops, and restaurants, raising concerns about its sacred status.

“It was disheartening to see this wine being sold like any other alcoholic drink,” Archbishop Muheria said.

After testing several types of wine, the Catholic Church in Kenya opted for a product sourced from South Africa, agreeing it would be the only wine used for Mass in the country.

The new wine was officially unveiled during the National Prayer Day celebrations at the Subukia National Marian Shrine in Nakuru County last Saturday.

Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Chairperson of KCCB, held up a bottle of the new wine and declared:

“This is the only wine that will be used for Mass in the entire country, starting today.”

He directed all Catholic parishes in Kenya to stop using previous wine brands and instructed priests to learn how to properly store and distribute the new wine in their parishes.

 “This new wine is not sold in hotels,” Archbishop Muheria reiterated. “It is imported and distributed exclusively by KCCB to ensure proper handling and protection.”

The new wine bottle bears an inscription emphasizing its sacred purpose:

“Fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.”

This marks a significant step in ensuring the sacredness of the Eucharist, especially during important liturgical seasons such as Easter, Christmas, and other major Church celebrations.

Many Catholics have expressed support for this decision, saying it reinforces respect for the Eucharist.

 “This is an important step to protect the sacredness of the Eucharist and ensure that only the appropriate wine is used during Mass,” one parishioner told the BBC.

About 80% of Kenya’s 50 million population identifies as Christian, with approximately 10 million Catholics, representing nearly 20% of the total population. Other Christian denominations in the country include the Anglican Church of Kenya and the Presbyterian Church.

Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba has called on all priests to obtain the newly approved Mass wine exclusively through official Church channels.