Card Pizzaballa in Bahrain to boost Catholic unity and dialogue with Islam
The Patriarch of Jerusalem visited the Gulf country, which is part of the Apostolic Vicariate of North Arabia. Accompanied by Bishop Berardi, the cardinal met with local communities and leading figures of the kingdom. The cardinal led the Mass in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia and took part in a conference at the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence.
Manama (AsiaNews) – Card Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, recently visited Bahrain, which is part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (along with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait), to boost cultural and interfaith relations, as well as build bridges at a point in history when walls are being erected between peoples, while violence and wars are tearing entire territories apart, especially in the Middle East.
As head of the Church in the Holy Land, the cardinal was eager to experience this moment, to get to know and strengthen the ties and unity with local Catholic communities. To this end, the patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins was in Bahrain from 20 to 23 March in an official visit as part of interfaith dialogue in a country that has long been a model of coexistence.
Welcomed by the Apostolic Vicar of North Arabia, Bishop Aldo Berardi, the cardinal met with the local community and visited some of the most iconic places of the Church in the Gulf.
On such place is the Sacred Heart parish church in Manama, one of the oldest and most important in the region; another stop was the museum dedicated to Pope Francis's apostolic journey in 2022.
The cardinal also celebrated the solemn Eucharistic service in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia, the largest Catholic place of worship in the peninsula, which is also the seat of the vicariate.
On the second day of his visit, Patriarch Pizzaballa visited, among others, the Bahrain National Museum, while on the third and final day, he celebrated Mass in Manama’s Church of the Sacred Heart, with the aim of promoting communion and the mission of peace in a region torn by tensions and conflicts.
Bahrain is among the Gulf countries that most stands out for tolerance and interfaith dialogue; these principles inspire the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, an institution dedicated to strengthening relations between various faiths.
Patriarch Pizzaballa acknowledged this role during the visit, when he underlined how Bahrain’s commitment to religious freedom is an “example” for the world and that coexistence "is not only possible, but essential" for global harmony.
Regional and global tensions, not to mention the very serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza, are among the topics explored in this visit, which the Vicariate described as a “significant” moment.
In this perspective, the cardinal expressed concern for those affected by conflicts in the world, at a time when it is increasingly urgent to promote dialogue as a means for lasting peace and stability.
In a statement sent to AsiaNews, the head of Communications of the Northern Vicariate explains how the visit in Bahrain “highlighted the importance of dialogue in building bridges of peace and strengthening the bonds of solidarity among communities.
The prelate “praised Bahrain’s dedication to preserving its history and promoting dialogue among people of different backgrounds,” stressing “the strong cultural and interfaith ties between Bahrain and the wider global community, reinforcing the nation’s reputation as a place of tolerance and historical significance.”
Finally, “This visit is part of Cardinal Pizzaballa’s broader mission to engage with Catholic communities across the region, strengthening their faith and fostering a deeper connection with the Church. His presence in Bahrain was a testament to the enduring spiritual vitality of the Catholic community in the Gulf, inspiring a renewed sense of unity and commitment among the faithful.”
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