A PIECE of architectural brilliance and a symbol of Bahrain’s testimony of coexistence – the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the Arabian Peninsula – will shortly open its doors to the faithful.

Work on The Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia will be completed by the end of the month, confirmed Reverend Father Saji Thomas, parish priest of Awali Church and Bishop Paul Hinder’s representative to Bahrain.

The BD11.3 million cathedral has been built on a 9,000sqm stretch of land donated by His Majesty King Hamad.

Nestled in the serenity of Awali, the building can seat up to a 2,300-strong congregation. Once opened, the church will become the centre of pastoral services in the whole Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia which covers Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia which has an estimated 2.5m Catholics, mostly migrant workers from different nations and diverse cultures.

“We are humbled at the royal gesture of allocating the land for this beautiful church in Bahrain and we are grateful to His Majesty’s Personal Representative and Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) president Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa who visited the premises in September,” Rev Fr Thomas told the GDN.

“The work of the cathedral is expected to be completed by November 30 and we are awaiting the royal confirmation regarding the dates for an opening ceremony – most likely early next month.

“The grand opening will be graced by His Majesty the King and representatives from the Vatican and will be attended by members of the royal family, ministers, diplomats, church leaders and dignitaries from across the globe.”

Shaikh Abdulla was accompanied by Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and Royal Court Follow-Up Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatalla Al Khalifa during a recent visit to the site.

Impressed
“His Highness expressed delight as he toured the facility and the cathedral and was well impressed,” added Rev Fr Thomas.

“The new cathedral is an outstanding sign of Bahrain’s religious harmony and tolerance, and serves as a great example of peaceful coexistence to the world.”

The project was the dream of the late Italian Bishop Camillo Ballin and construction started in August 2018. Following his sudden death last April, the build was overseen by Bishop Paul and managed by Rev Fr Thomas, with the active support from the clergy, led by the parish priest of Sacred Heart Church Rev Fr Xavier D’ Souza, and parishioners.

The project initiated with a royal gift – a three-foot-long model of the proposed cathedral – from His Majesty King Hamad when he met Pope Francis at the Apostolic Place in the Vatican on May 19, 2014. The Pope awarded the King a medallion of the Angel of Peace, as a symbol of ‘Peace and Solidarity’.

The GDN reported in June 2014 that a foundation stone blessing ceremony was held to mark the start of work, although it was later delayed due to change in design. The foundation stone was reportedly given as a gift by Pope Francis and brought especially from the Vatican in Rome and a blessing was made following the ceremony at the Church of the Lady of Visitation in Awali in 2014.

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