First Catholic Church For Saudi Arabia

[cappie]

Negotiations are underway to build the first Catholic church in Saudi Arabia with King Abdullah lending his support for its construction.

Vatican Radio reports the Vatican and the Saudi government are currently in talks to allow the church despite the kingdoms ban on allowing the construction of any non-Muslim place of worship.

No religion other than Islam is allowed to schedule public services, and even the possession of bibles, rosaries, and crucifixes is forbidden.

Saudi Arabia is the only country on the Arabian Peninsula without a Catholic church despite the 800,000 Catholics - virtually all of who are foreign workers.

While Saudi Arabia does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See, King Abdullah became the first reigning Saudi monarch ever to visit the Vatican last November.

Commenting after his meeting with the Pope Vatican officials confirmed the Pontiff pressed for permission to open a Catholic church in the kingdom.

Holy See spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said that opening a Catholic parish in the Islamic land would be "a historic achievement" for religious freedom and a major step forward for inter-religious dialogue.

The apostolic nuncio to Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, Archbishop Paul-Mounged El-Hachem, is reportedly the lead Vatican negotiator in talks with Saudi officials.

[premed_jakey]

Thats pretty amazing. I will be praying for this to be a success, and not too much violence.

[jeffpugh]

Thanks be to God!

There have been numerous Mosques opening up world wide, yet one country allowed no Churches. Now, we are allowed to open one up in this what was once an "impenetrable" country (or so it seemed). This is beautiful

[CatherineM]

I'm really surprised. I didn't think that would ever happen there.

[Socrates]

God be praised!

[Paladin D]

Praise be to God! I hope this is achieved, it will truely be a blessing for some of the estimated 800,000 Catholics that work there (and for potential converts).

Edited March 18, 2008 by Paladin D

[cappie]

Christians hold first Mass at new church in Qatari capital
By Agence France Presse (AFP)



DOHA: Thousands of Christians took part on Saturday in the first Mass at Qatar's only church, opened last week despite threats from Islamists. Vatican envoy Cardinal Ivan Dias presided over the eucharist attended by around 15,000 worshippers at Our Lady of the Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Doha, thanking "God and Qatar for this great gift."

The church, which like elsewhere in the Gulf Arab region has no bells or crosses on its exterior, opened on Friday ahead of western Christianity's celebration of Easter, which this year falls on March 23. It is the first of five to be constructed in the gas-rich Gulf state.

From early morning, Catholics began arriving at the church, which accommodates around 5,000. Big screens were erected in the grounds to allow the overflow to follow the Mass, celebrated during the consecration of the building.

The Mass was conducted in English, but prayers were also said in Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Tagalog, Spanish and French for the many nationalities that would worship in the church.

Dozens of police were deployed around the church, which cost some $20 million, and female officers searched the handbags of women worshippers.

Western embassies, particularly from the United States and Britain, warned nationals living in Qatar to be extra vigilant after an Islamic militants on the Internet made threats linked to the opening of the church.

The US Embassy on Thursday released a warning that the new church might be targeted.

"Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons and target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include ... the new Christian Church complex in Doha," it said.

Worshippers said they were not concerned by the threats.

"It's a day without precedent. I am very happy. The threats were made but I didn't pay them much attention. I trust the country's authorities," said Filipino Catholic Shato Mawude.

Fellow Filipino Ariel Almyede added: "This church is a sign of a possible dialogue between the different faiths."

Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah added: "The church sends a positive message to the world ... At the moment we are enjoying the construction of mosques and Islamic centers in the West, so we must be fair" toward Christians in the region and allow them places of worship.

Qatar is a close ally of Washington and hosts the command headquarters for US forces in the Middle East.

In the United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, police were seen on Saturday guarding one of the main churches in bustling Dubai and searching worshippers entering the compound. Police closed off access to cars around St. Mary's Church, and signs were put up in the street directing motorists to park their vehicles in other specified places.

A priest who asked not to be identified told AFP there had been no threat against the church and the security deployment was a preventive measure. Policemen said the "precautionary" moves would last until March 25, after Easter.

The UAE prides itself on its religious tolerance and cultural diversity, and most Gulf Arab states have long allowed Christians to worship in churches.

But Saudi Arabia, which adheres to a rigorous doctrine of Islam known as Wahhabism and is home to Islam's holiest sites, bans all non-Muslim religious rituals and materials.

However, the papal nuncio in the Gulf, Archbishop Paul-Munjed al-Hashem, said on the sidelines of the Doha Mass that talks had begun with Riyadh to convince it to become the final Gulf Arab state to allow churches.

"Discussions are under way with Saudi Arabia to allow the construction of churches in the kingdom," he said, adding that the country had between 3 and 4 million Christian residents. "We cannot forecast the outcome." - AFP

[Guest james abodunrin]

[size="6"][/size][color="#800080"][/color]I think this is a good development. Giving hope that the church will open in more places where she hasnt be before now.

[cathoholic_anonymous]

[quote name='cappie' post='1478893' date='Mar 17 2008, 11:00 PM']Negotiations are underway to build the first Catholic church in Saudi Arabia with King Abdullah lending his support for its construction.

Vatican Radio reports the Vatican and the Saudi government are currently in talks to allow the church despite the kingdoms ban on allowing the construction of any non-Muslim place of worship.

No religion other than Islam is allowed to schedule public services, and even the possession of bibles, rosaries, and crucifixes is forbidden.

Saudi Arabia is the only country on the Arabian Peninsula without a Catholic church despite the 800,000 Catholics - virtually all of who are foreign workers.

While Saudi Arabia does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See, King Abdullah became the first reigning Saudi monarch ever to visit the Vatican last November.

Commenting after his meeting with the Pope Vatican officials confirmed the Pontiff pressed for permission to open a Catholic church in the kingdom.

Holy See spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said that opening a Catholic parish in the Islamic land would be "a historic achievement" for religious freedom and a major step forward for inter-religious dialogue.

The apostolic nuncio to Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, Archbishop Paul-Mounged El-Hachem, is reportedly the lead Vatican negotiator in talks with Saudi officials.[/quote]

This has been in the pipeline since about 1998. That's when I first heard of it. I'm glad that it's finally bearing fruit at last.

One thing, though - the possession of Bibles, rosaries, etc. isn't banned. You are allowed to have them for your own private use. If you go through the airports with a bag stuffed with religious articles, the officials will assume that you're planning to proselytise with them, and they will take them away.

[apparent]

A local writes:

In Qatar, the locals are very proud that these churches are open. (its actually a complex for Christian churches - Lutherans, Protestants and Methodists are all planning or actually building churches next to this cathedral) We have 8000 brits, 9000 Americans (non-miltary) about 5000 other westerners and about 100,000 Filipinos many who are Catholic.

The church is actually not the first there have been several smaller ones in rented Villas. My daughters attend a Christian Youth group called [b]Solid Rock[/b].


This is a step that the Emir has taken at the risk of his life from those who are the darkest of intolerant. Sheik Hamad is the one who immediately without press conferences or radio commercials wired 100 million dollars directly for Katrina aid the day after it happened.

The Emir is also opening a mission for the Israelites as well and the goal is to exchange ambassadors which were put off with the 2001 invasion in Lebanon.

Yes, things are changing in the gulf - my daughter had a minor neck injury (she's fine) but the government ambulanced her to the trauma unit at the massive Hamad General in Doha. I saw construction workers, poor people, being given the best medical treatment by top doctors around the world with concern and compassion all paid for by the government. Yes there are problems in labor pay, safety but they are being corrected as national initiatives are seriously underway to bring this country as an example for the rest of the gulf.

When this type of basic humanity and compassion leaves the borders of this tiny country and shames and motivates Saudi, Iran, and Iraq militants that there is a different way, a way of true Islamic peace and charity then prosperity will visit those countries in ways they cannot even imagine.

Good things happen from and to good people

Edited March 18, 2008 by apparent

[Didacus]

I pray the new churches shall not become a focal point of violence towards christians. I also pray that those who attend these churches will persist in their courage.

finally, I am grateful that positive light can be shed upon some corners of Islam to encourage dialogue and understanding between all men of the earth.

[mortify]

So Qatar has built it's first Church and Saudi Arabia will permit it soon?

Edited March 18, 2008 by mortify

[Selah]

This is so exciting!!! Praise God!

Edited March 18, 2008 by Selah

[Deb]

It is so amazing, I keep wondering what the catch is?

May God protect the church from all harm.

[Lounge Daddy]

wow! what cool news