Kenyan Catholic Church introduces new authentic ‘Mass Wine’ after previous altar wine found in local bars

The Catholic Church in Kenya has officially launched a new, authenticated brand of altar wine after it was discovered that the previously used “Mass Wine” had found its way into local bars and liquor stores, sparking outrage among clergy and faithful alike. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) announced the move this week, emphasizing the Church’s commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the Eucharist and restoring public confidence in the sacramental wine used during Mass.

According to a statement from the KCCB Liturgical Commission, the new “authentic Mass Wine” has been specially produced and approved under strict ecclesiastical supervision to prevent misuse and commercial diversion. Each bottle of the new wine will feature unique packaging and a distinct seal of authenticity, designed to help priests and parishes verify its source.

“The sanctity of the Eucharist is not negotiable,” the bishops said in the statement. “The new Mass Wine is a product of rigorous scrutiny to ensure that what is consecrated at the altar is used only for its intended sacred purpose and not commercial sale.”

The Church’s decision follows months of internal investigation after reports emerged that the previous brand of altar wine, originally imported and distributed through official Catholic channels  was being sold in pubs and retail outlets across parts of Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa. The discovery caused widespread embarrassment, as the wine, which carries the label “For Liturgical Use Only,” was being consumed as ordinary alcoholic beverage.

Church officials say they suspect that some unscrupulous distributors or middlemen diverted shipments intended for parishes into the general market, exploiting the product’s reputation for purity and high quality. The incident raised questions about the Church’s supply chain integrity and prompted the bishops’ conference to tighten controls.

Under the new system, production and distribution will be handled exclusively by a Church-commissioned facility in collaboration with a certified winery that adheres to Catholic liturgical standards. The KCCB has also introduced a tracking mechanism that allows dioceses to trace each batch from production to parish delivery.

“The Eucharistic wine must reflect not just the material purity but the spiritual dignity of the sacrament,” said Bishop Maurice Muhatia, Archbishop of Kisumu and chair of the Liturgical Commission. “We cannot allow something meant for the altar to be treated as entertainment in bars.”

Parishes across the country have already begun receiving the new bottles, which are packaged in dark glass with tamper-proof caps and a coded Church insignia embossed on the label. The new branding carries the words ‘Vinum Sacrum Ecclesiae’ (Sacred Wine of the Church) and will be distributed directly to diocesan offices rather than through private vendors.

Faithful Catholics have praised the move, saying it was long overdue. “It was really disturbing to hear that altar wine was being sold like any other drink,” said Agnes Njeri, a parishioner from Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi. “This shows the Church is serious about protecting what is holy.”

However, some local merchants who had previously stocked the old brand expressed frustration, claiming they were unaware of its sacred designation. “We just bought it from a supplier like any other product,” one bar owner in Westlands said anonymously. “We didn’t know it was meant for church use only.”

The controversy has drawn broader attention to the growing problem of counterfeit and misused religious goods in parts of East Africa, where fake holy oils, incense, and even clergy vestments have surfaced in the open market. Church leaders say this latest incident is a wake-up call for tighter enforcement and education among suppliers and parish administrators.

“This is not merely about wine,” said Father David Kamau, a liturgical expert in Nairobi. “It’s about reverence, discipline, and protecting the integrity of the sacraments. Once we allow sacred things to lose their meaning, we lose something essential in our faith.”

The KCCB has urged all parishes to cease use of the old wine immediately and return remaining stock to diocesan offices for proper disposal. Moving forward, every consignment of altar wine will include verification documents signed by authorized Church officials to prevent further leakage into the commercial market.

With the new measure, the Kenyan Catholic Church hopes to restore trust and reverence in the Eucharist while setting a precedent for stricter control over liturgical materials across the region.

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