Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia
The Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (Latin: apostolicus Vicariatus Arabiae Settentrionale ) is a Roman Catholic Apostolic Vicariate with its headquarters in Manama in Bahrain ( since 2012 ), previously in Kuwait, and includes the Arab states of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
History
Forerunner of today's Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia is the June 29, 1953 by Pius XII. Founded out of the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia Prefecture Apostolic of Kuwait. It comprised 17.9 thousand km ² with the State of Kuwait, in which a first Karmelitenmissionstation and 1948 for 700 already believers, a church was built in 1945. Took place on December 2, 1954 by Pope Pius XII. elevation to the Apostolic Vicariate of Kuwait ( apostolicus Vicariatus Kuvaitensis ). Pope Benedict XVI. founded on 31 May 2011 by renaming the current Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. At the same areas of Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been added to the Apostolic Vicariate.
Today
The Bishop of the Vicariate primarily handles international Christians who are professionally active in the Arab oil countries, especially Roman Catholic migrant workers from the Philippines, India and Bangladesh. Their number in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia is estimated at 1.3 million. In addition, all Eastern rites churches in Arabia, for example, Maronites in Lebanon or the Syro - Malabar and Syro- Karen from India.
When conducting Christian pastors only in Muslim countries Camillo Ballin regarding social criticism (eg concerning the working conditions of foreign employees ) are largely bound hands under the threat of expulsion.
The present situation of Christians in many Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia, is bad. There it is forbidden to today, to build churches and to prevent non-Muslim religious services (see under: Persecution of Christians ). Pope Benedict XVI. and King Abdullah bin Abd al- Aziz initiated in 2007, negotiations for the opening of the first Catholic Church in the Kingdom.
In August 2012, the seat was moved from Kuwait to Bahrain.
Parishes
In Kuwait there are four parishes:
- The Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait City under the direction of Gaspar Fernandes, OFM Cap (born 1972 )
- The Our Lady of Arabia in Al Ahmadi under the direction of Alfredo Guran Micua OFM Cap ( born 1950 )
- St Thérèse in Salmiya under the direction of Blany Pinto SDB ( born 1967)
- St. Daniel Comboni in Jleeb Al- Shuyoukh under the leadership of Mathai ( Mathew ) Madathikunnel OFM Cap (born 1969 )
In Bahrain, there are two churches. The Sacred Heart Church in Manama, built in 1939, is the oldest Catholic church in the Persian Gulf and is headed by Dinesh Mendonca, OFM Cap ( born 1947 ). The second church is in Awali and is shared with the Church of England. This parish church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Visitation.
In Qatar, since 2008, a church complex with the Catholic Church Our Lady of the Rosary exists in Doha under the management of Peter PM OFM Cap (born 1958 ).
In Saudi Arabia there are no churches and parishes.