Mass wine must carry the coat of arms of the Catholic bishops in Kenya

Wine for Mass in Kenya must now carry the “coat of arms” of the country’s bishops, the president of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).

When speaking during National Day of Prayer 2025 in it Subukia National Marian Shrinein the Diocese of Nakuru (Kenya), on the feast of Saint Francis, the archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumbapresident of the KCCB, announced that the bottles containing the Mass wine must bear the coat of arms of the bishops, as well as an official signature, to certify their authenticity.

Catholic faithful have welcomed the news, as many believe the wine previously used “had lost its sacred character due to its widespread use outside the Church,” according to a BBC report.

The wine used previously would be widely sold in liquor stores, bars and supermarkets.

After analyzing options, bishops in Kenya chose a South African vintage for the new wine approved for Mass.

“Vigilance over the quality and standards of the wine and hosts used in the Mass corresponds to the country’s Catholic bishops. This is reviewed from time to time,” the archbishop added.

The new wine was officially presented to the faithful during the National Day of Prayer.

Muhaia He called on local Catholic communities and Catholic institutions to adhere to the guidelines and sources of supply for the new altar wine.

“It is important that you become familiar with your diocese and know what has been established as distribution points for this wine, because different dioceses have different ways of distributing it,” he said during the National Day of Prayer.

“Some dioceses allow only specific people to purchase this wine for Mass; others allow it for everyone. Depending on your diocese, please take the regulations into account.”

Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in ICA Africa.