JW Interservices, a logistics department of the Nsambya based Uganda Catholic Secretariat, has issued a directive to various dioceses across the country urging them to regulate the use of mass wine due to delays in obtaining new supplies.
“This, therefore, is to kindly request you to regulate the use of wine as much as
possible,” Fr Asiku Alfred Tulu, The Managing Director JW inter-services noted in a letter addressed to all financial administrators of the different dioceses.
He added that they also have limited stock of the White Mass Wine duly approved by the Uganda Episcopal Conference.
The Managing Director explained that the disruptions in the supply chain are a result of altered shipping routes prompted by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, which stems from the Israel-Hamaz conflict.
As the crisis intensified, the customary routes for ships through the Mediterranean and Red Sea were suspended and terminated. Instead, vessels have been rerouted to longer and more secure pathways via the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Consequently, this redirection has resulted in significant crises and delays in their arrival at the Mombasa Port.
Fr. Asiku further highlighted that due to these delays, the anticipated arrival of the new supplies, initially slated for Kampala in early April 2024, may now be postponed until the end of May.
“The information from our shippers indicate that wine will arrive by mid-May and we hope to clear it through Uganda Customs by the end of the month of May,” he added telling the diocesan treasure to quickly inform the different parish of the status.
Fr Phillip Odii, the executive secretary forsocial communications at at the Catholic Secretariat, confirmed that the secretariat had received the information and expressed hope that all parish priests would be duly informed through appropriate channels.
While compiling this report, our reporter was unable to confirm whether various parishes across the country have an adequate supply of mass wine. However, three parish priests in the Kampala Archdiocese and Masaka, although not formally notified of the directive, mentioned that they currently “have enough that can last for some time.”
Wine stands as one of the essential components required for the Eucharist, forming an integral part of the sacrificial ritual. Its presence is indispensable for Mass celebrations, as the liturgy centers around the Eucharistic mystery, which entails the consecration of unleavened bread and the offering of wine mixed with a small amount of water, symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
However, it’s crucial to note that not all types of wine are suitable for use in Mass. According to Catholic Church’s Canon 924, sections 1-3, the wine utilized must be natural, derived from the fruit of the vine, and free from any form of spoilage.
The instructions issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (currently called The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments) provided further clarification regarding the wine to be utilized during Mass.
“The wine that is used in the most sacred celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice must be natural, from the fruit of the grape, pure and incorrupt, not mixed with other substances. During the celebration itself, a small quantity of water is to be mixed with it. Great care should be taken so that the wine intended for the celebration of the Eucharist is well conserved and has not soured,”
It further added that; “It is altogether forbidden to use wine of doubtful authenticity or provenance, for the Churchrequires certainty regarding the conditions necessary for the validity of the sacraments. Nor are other drinks of any kind to be admitted for any reason, as they do not constitute valid matter.”
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