NAIROBI, Kenya — The Catholic Church in Kenya has introduced a new sacramental wine labelled “Mass Wine” in response to concerns that the previous altar wine had become commonly sold and consumed in local bars and outlets.
The decision, announced during this year’s National Prayer Day at Subukia National Marian Shrine in Nakuru, aims to restore the sanctity of Holy Mass by restricting the approved wine’s availability exclusively to Church-authorised channels.
Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), declared that the new wine must bear the coat of arms of the KCCB and his personal signature, ensuring its authenticity.
He stressed that “The newly approved wine is not for sale at any business outlet, but is imported and owned by the KCCB, and only distributed to the dioceses.”
The previous altar wine, supplied by a local manufacturer, had become widely available—selling in supermarkets, bars, liquor shops, and hotels—and this widespread secular use had alarmed Church leaders who felt it eroded the sacred character of the Eucharist.
Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri observed that use of altar wine outside liturgical settings diminished its symbolic meaning.
The new wine is imported from South Africa, produced by Lutzville Vineyards. It carries approximately 17 P.c alcohol by volume, slightly lower than the roughly 18 P.c found in the former wine.
Canonical norms—such as purity (made solely from grapes, without additives) and proper liturgical preparation—have been affirmed by Church authorities as guiding the selection of the new wine.
Distribution of “Mass Wine” will follow new rules: each diocese is to use only authorised procurement channels; parishes are discouraged from accepting altar wine as offertory gifts; and clergy are being instructed to confirm their sources when acquiring the approved wine.
Archbishop Muhatia urged priests and parishioners to familiarise themselves with diocesan procedures since distribution systems vary across jurisdictions.
Among the faithful, the shift has been mostly welcomed. Many see it as a necessary step to protect what they consider a sacred symbol of faith. Some, however, expressed confusion about the timing of the transition and whether the wine used in recent Masses was the old or the new supply.
This move comes amid increasing calls within the Church globally and locally to reinforce respect for sacred liturgies. The Church in Kenya has cited Canon Law as prescribing that altar wine be treated with reverence and that the means of its preparation, distribution, and use preserve its sanctity.
As this new policy rolls out across Kenya’s 28 dioceses, all eyes are on how well the Church enforces authorised sourcing, ensures consistency, and addresses the concerns of congregations.
For many, “Mass Wine” is more than a label change; it is a correction of boundaries between the sacred and the secular.
