Nyandarua County Commissioner Mohamed Barre came under sharp criticism after he asked Christians to stop using wine during the Holy Communion Service in church.
In a meeting with religious leaders in the county, Commissioner Barre instead advocated the use of juice as an “alternative”.
Taking sacraments dipped in wine, he argued, is likely to arouse desire for alcohol and defeat the purpose of being in church.
“Alcohol is still alcohol whether it is white, blue, green or yellow. With due respect to those who use it, sacraments must be dipped in something that is not- wine.
I would request the church to change that into juice, this one we are taking,” he added.
In his defense, the county commissioner noted that the church has a role to instill good morals in children but noted that the use of wine is contradictory.
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“If I am a father of a boy and I sit on the high table and take Tusker export- my son will know that whatever baba does is good. If the church is the place we are looking to correct our boys and girls. And in the church, there is a bit of wine- will you convince them that wine is bad?” he asked.
He said that a Bishop had explained that in America some churches were replacing the wine with juice.
Reactions on use of wine in Church
His sentiments sparked anger among some users who listened to him.
“This is very condescending… disrespectful even. Non-Christian telling Christians what to do… Worse being said by a public servant… Leaves a lot to be desired,” poised Marangu CMK one of the X users.
“So, he thinks people get drunk at the altar or what? If you do not know something, just ask, bwana commissioner,” Cyrose Mueni added.
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“A Muslim gov’t official dictating what a Christian clergy should/not do during service is obviously a crossing of the red line! It’s going overboard by all means,” Bernado noted.
“This habit of some leaders attempting to impose their values, beliefs, and opinions on others is inappropriate. The use of wine in Christian communion dates back to the time of Jesus Christ, who Himself drank wine with His disciples at the Last Supper.”
However, there was a section of netizens who appreciated the idea noting that there is no ‘holy alcohol.’
“There’s nothing like holy alcohol (wine),” Paul Kart pointed out.
“The alcohol menace in central Kenya is now being taken seriously,” Korinda Yuda a X user noted.
In the context of Holy Communion, wine is seen as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and a means of sharing in his life and love,” Educator Antony Alexandria Irungu explained.
In the Book of 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NIV): “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
