Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
A ‘spiritual oasis’ – Southern Arabian cathedral celebrates 50 years

A ‘spiritual oasis’ – Southern Arabian cathedral celebrates 50 years

Last updated on: March 23, 2015 at 11:33 pm by CNA Daily News

A ‘spiritual oasis’ – Southern Arabian cathedral celebrates 50 years 2015-03-23T23:33:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Mar 23, 2015 / 05:33 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vicariate Apostolic of Southern Arabia, which serves the more than 2 million Catholics in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen, last week celebrated the 50th anniversary of its cathedral parish.

On March 19, Bishop Paul Hinder, Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia, said a Mass of thanksgiving to mark the anniversary of the founding of St. Joseph's Cathedral, located in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. St. Joseph's is the oldest Catholic church in the emirates.

Bishop Hinder was joined by more than 30 priests, nuns, and over 5,000 laity for the Mass.

“We are extremely happy in celebrating this golden jubilee, that over the years grew from a small pastoral ministry to today serving a large Catholic community in UAE,” Fr. Anthony Swamy Savarimuthu, a priest at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, told CNA March 20.

Fr. Savarimuthu explained that the parish was blessed on Feb. 19, 1965, “thus fulfilling the providential hand of Almighty God, through the generosity of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi and the hard work of the Franciscan friars and some staunch Catholic immigrants.”

Fifty years ago, Sheikh Shakhbut, ruler of Abu Dhabi, granted 11 acres of land on the Corniche, a beachside road in the city, to the Catholic Church as a sign of his patronage to the many Catholics who were committed to the development of the emirates.

In 1981 his successor, Sheikh Zayed II, decided to move St. Joseph's to a new location, and the present church building was inaugurated in 1983. Beginning in 2013, it underwent major renevations to provide for a new parish hall, as well as priests' offices and residence.

“On this occasion it is fitting that we unfurl the history and remember the virtuous people who strived to ‘make a way in the desert',” John E. John, communications director for the vicariate apostolic, told CNA March 19.

Bishop Hinder in his homily asked the faithful to imitate the virtue of St. Joseph. saying, “We are called today to be instruments of peace, and I hope we can all learn from St Joseph.”

Bishop Hinder underlined the virtuous qualities of St Joseph. who is known for his “humility, chastity, obedience, prudence, and love for his family.”

The prelate further said, “I believe that we are called to give Jesus a home in our hearts, in our families, in the community of this country and to be instruments of peace … I hope we can continue to live among different Christian denominations and Islam, being the dominant religion, with mutual understanding and peace.”

Bishop Hinder in particular urged the faithful that, “it’s an occasion for us to express our gratitude to God Almighty, to Sheikh Shakhbut, Sheikh Zayed, and now Sheikh Khalifa, and to the people of the UAE, who have accepted that we can live here with this freedom of worship.”

Bishop Hinder also reiterated the commitment of the members of the Catholic Church in the country to the progress of the nation, and special prayers were invoked for Sheikh Khalifa and the country’s other rulers, who have shown religious tolerance and who permit the construction of churches in the country.

Around 76 percent of the population of the United Arab Emirates is Muslim, while Christians constitute around nine percent. There are also sizeable minorities of Hindus and Buddhists.

Bishop Hinder also prayed peace in the conflicted areas of the Arabian peninsula, and expressed his confidence and hope that the region will remain an “island of peace.”

Christopher Alexander, a member of the parish, told CNA that “it is a blessed occasion to thank God for the blessing that the Catholic community can receive the sacraments.”

The vicariate apostolic tweeted March 19: “Amazing golden jubilee of St Josephs Parish.. gratitude to God and also the rulers.. may God bless this country!”

St. Joseph's Cathedral parish serves some 100,000 expatriates from around the world, many of them Indians, who work and live in Abu Dhabi.

Middle East - Africa

Previous Post

March 23, 2015

20 years of Evangelium Vitae: Vatican announces prayer vigil, rosary for life

Next Post

March 24, 2015 A new hope: the Church of Naples after Pope Francis' visit

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What traveling companion of Paul was a physician and historian, writing two New Testament books?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Mark Silas Luke Barnabas