Catholics in Saudi Arabia: the 'hidden face' of faith, between Islam and religious freedom

An AsiaNews source recounts the life of Catholics. One million people, mostly economic migrants, celebrate their faith "in private". The bond with the universal Church and the hope of one day being able to gather and pray in a church. The Internet has strengthened community relations and facilitated attendance at services. A "long history" of "discreet" presence in the region.

Milan (AsiaNews) - One million people who live their faith "in private"; a community made up largely of economic migrants who worship "hidden from the eyes of the world" in their homes, in the compounds where they work or in embassies, often keeping their religious affiliation secret. A territory where there are no Churches because only Islam is allowed, dependent on the Apostolic Vicariate of the North where people pray, meet and, when possible, attend services celebrated by chaplains in diplomatic representations. Of the Catholic reality in Saudi Arabia there is not much news or reports in the international media, often even in those linked in various ways to the Church of Rome, yet it is alive and present. And thanks to the Internet and social media, it has found new ways to feel part of a community. Rooted in a territory in which, although a minority, it is not a stranger by history and tradition, it claims with increasing strength its belonging to the universal Church and, recently, was described as "surprising" by the Patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans, Card. Louis Rapahel Sako.

To tell the story, AsiaNews met with a diplomatic personality who is well acquainted with the kingdom and the Catholic reality, and who, under guarantee of anonymity, wished to share some reflections and changes. Because compared to the past, when to call oneself a Christian was to risk one's life, today under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (Mbs) the country is showing positive changes not only on a social level. The hope is, one day, to be able to gather and pray in a church. "Catholics today go to Bahrain or other areas of the Northern Vicariate [a territory that includes, in addition to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar] to attend mass," says the source, and, at least officially, "there is no worship. However, in practice they can follow catechism, receive the sacraments, and participate in religious services, albeit in a discreet manner. And this is also why, from the country, little news arrives'.

Faith and the Internet

The desire is to attend mass, an open sacramental life, freedom of worship, even if today this community has found the internet and social networks as a way to read news about the Vatican and the activities of Pope Francis. The Internet is also the means to stay connected to the communities they come from, from India to Lebanon, each according to their origin because there is no longer the censorship of the past and it is possible to "celebrate or form online". "It has changed our lives, because before, bringing sacred texts or Christian material was very difficult, even the Bible. Now with smartphones we have everything in the phone, the breviary, missals, we don't have to carry anything anymore'. A process, as in the rest of the world, that has accelerated with Covid-19, favouring the development of Catholic channels, Masses and training, meetings via Zoom, email and social. "People," continues the source, "are no longer as isolated as before.

Those we met are well acquainted with the reality of Saudi Arabia, a country they first visited almost 20 years ago when it was still difficult to meet or have documents, and everything went through embassies. And this is why today he speaks of a "positive change in two senses: on the one hand the greater online resources, which even according to the priests themselves facilitate work and allow the organisation of small communities according to spirituality: Marian, charismatic, linguistic, ritual. On the other hand, the same social change that guarantees greater freedom and a feeling of peace among the people: before there was a strong fear of expulsion, while now, while remaining prudent and respecting local customs, there is greater freedom also, hopefully soon, for worship".

Religious freedom and reforms

While remaining the cradle of Sunni Islam (often in opposition to Shia Iran, although relations have improved in the last phase) with the two most important places for the Muslim faith, Mecca and Medina, the (Wahhabi) kingdom is undergoing a significant change. There used to be a systematic censorship of TV, internet and social media, while now there are more possibilities to connect with the outside world. This is also evident for the Catholic Church with the training of lay ministers and community leaders and every meeting - private - is a moment of joy. Then there is the issue of the cross, which used to be so sensitive that even the jersey of Real Madrid (in which there is a small cross) or of Barcelona, used to be removed or only the horizontal (or vertical) axis was maintained, whereas now it is no longer an issue. "I myself," underlines the AsiaNews source, "have known this reality, which has changed a lot. Words that reflect what has been said - and experienced - by Card. Sako or Maronite Patriarch Card. Beshara Raï who were able to visit the country wearing the Christian symbol on their chests without hesitation.

Changes that have also affected the social sphere, with a gradual decrease in the influence of the religious police and moral volunteers (the Mutawa) who used to threaten people, even the Saudis themselves. One was not allowed to date a woman who was not one's wife or sister, boys and girls were not allowed to speak, but this is now over. Even certain symbols or festivals linked to Christianity such as the Christmas tree or Valentine's Day are no longer forbidden, although their display must always be done with discretion and is linked to the various territories, which are more or less conservative. Finally, there is a greater inclination among the authorities to invite Christian religious leaders as a gesture of goodwill, recently facilitating the visit of the Chaldean and Maronite Patriarchs.

Migrants and the local Church

The events linked to the Hajj, the recently concluded major pilgrimage to Mecca, with its more than 1,300 victims, the vast majority of whom were illegal immigrants and foreign migrants, has put the spotlight back on the non-Saudi population living in the kingdom. "A reality that is perhaps less talked about," reflects the source, "but which is very similar to that of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates. There are different levels and a structure similar to a hierarchical scale that sees the Americans at the top, then the British and Europeans, Australians, then Filipinos and Indians. The lowest rank sees Ethiopians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. "We now have African communities," he continues, "that did not exist 10 years ago and this means greater openness towards them as well. Fuelling the arrivals are first and foremost the mega-projects promoted as part of Vision 2030, starting with Neom, the futuristic city. In reality, these investments are being substantially scaled down, prompting thousands of migrants to leave, although many more continue to come. Added to this is the plan to 'Saudiise' the labour market, similar to other Gulf countries, which aims to train and hire local staff and already has a minimum of 20% Saudis.

A policy that is also reflected on Christian migrants in Saudi Arabia for work and that also entails a revision of the Church's plans in its work - silent and discreet - of supporting the local community. After the economic and social reforms, in fact, the religious level is still lacking to be developed, but the presence and policies imprinted by bin Salman in recent years nourish moderate hope, even if one can already speak of an epochal change compared to a few decades ago. A change that was also witnessed by Monsignor Aldo Berardi, who has been at the head of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia for over a year, and who first visited the Saudi kingdom in 2003, a time when attacks against foreigners were still being recorded. Today, Catholic communities are focused on the Eucharist and Marian devotion, asking first of all to be able to approach the sacraments, cultivate the spiritual aspect; then there is catechism and ongoing formation, also taking advantage of the online; finally, the task of developing communion with the local Church (the vicariate) and the universal Church, overcoming that feeling of isolation much more evident in the past, by participating in the synodal effort.

The link with the universal Church is very important "so as not to feel isolated" says the source, but to this is added the "very strong sense of unity" with the pope and the local bishop. The jubilee of Saint Areta fits into this perspective, to show that "there is a long history of discreet presence in the region, that they are not just migrants and passing through" as the 75 years of the first church in Kuwait or the first Catholic school in Bahrain also show. "Catholics are part of a true and local Church," the source concludes, "of a people that is renewed in communion with the bishop, with the vicariate and with the universal Church".

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