The Eucharistic celebration is the most common identifying factor among Catholics, frequently celebrated in sacramental memory of the saving activity of Christ and an expression of the unity of the Church. For this reason, each bishop has a responsibility in the Diocese he leads to ensure that the manner in which the Eucharist is celebrated is in line with the universal norms, which include the elements used to celebrate the Eucharist, namely bread and wine.

Since the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference region was established, this has been the practice, each bishop in his diocese took responsibility for ensuring that the wine and bread for Eucharistic celebration meet the Canonical requirements. While this responsibility still lies with each individual bishop, the bishops have for the first time agreed on a common wine that may be used in the whole Conference area, which is “Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference Mass Wine”.

As indicated in the label of this wine bottle, this wine meets the Canonical requirements for use at Mass. On behalf of the bishops, I am happy to present “Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference Mass Wine”, as the official Mass wine in the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference area.

 

+Sithembele Sipuka
Bishop of Mthatha and SACBC President