Abu Dhabi (AsiaNews) – “A journey of grace” lasting over 20 years in the service of the Gulf Church: this is not merely the title of a biography but also the guiding principle behind his mission to serve a community composed largely of migrants, whilst fostering interfaith dialogue. After more than two decades of episcopal service on the Arabian Peninsula, on 25 October, Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar Emeritus of Southern Arabia – a post he held until May 2002, when he was succeeded by Bishop Paolo Martinelli – celebrated a Mass of “thanksgiving and farewell”. The Swiss-born prelate also held the post of Apostolic Administrator of Northern Arabia for a time following the death of Bishop Camillo Ballin, linking his own history as a bishop and priest to a community which, over the years, has borne abundant fruit. “Everything is grace. And this,” he emphasised, addressing the faithful, “is what I want to tell you.”
The final Mass
An entire community packed St Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi to celebrate Bishop Hinder’s mission, before his return to his homeland. Appointed auxiliary bishop of Arabia in December 2003, the prelate received episcopal ordination on 30 January 2004.
In March 2005, he became Apostolic Vicar of Arabia and, following the reorganisation of the region in 2011, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia. Among the many significant events of his episcopate were Pope Francis’s apostolic journey in 2019 – the first papal visit to the Gulf – during which he signed the historic Document on Human Fraternity with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Ahmad Muhammad Al-Tayyib; and also the inauguration of the “Abrahamic Family House” in Abu Dhabi, at the heart of the three great monotheistic religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
Bidding farewell “to this land” after almost 22 years, Monsignor Hinder said at the end of Mass, in his final address to the community of the faithful, that the prelate quoted the title of a novel by Georges Bernanos, *Diary of a Country Priest*, which recounts the struggles and sufferings of a priest.
“He does not achieve great successes; the results are rather modest. Yet,” the prelate continued, “the book ends with these words: ‘Everything is grace’. “And this is precisely what I wish to say to you.” “Whatever has come to fruition, or conversely has not been successful, everything remains grace, both in our personal lives and in the life of the Church. This has always been my perspective in guiding the flock here in the Gulf: not to look solely at the great, visible works, but at what remains hidden,” he noted, “in the depths of the heart.”
A growing Church
“It has been a grace for me to serve as Bishop here,” emphasised Bishop Hinder, before addressing his successor and current Apostolic Vicar: “I am grateful,” he said, “that, after me, Bishop Paolo is continuing this work. You may not realise just how difficult it was to find a new bishop for the Gulf; not everyone, in fact, is willing to come here.” “Thank you, Bishop Paolo, for your commitment. Thank you to all of you – brothers and sisters, fellow priests, men and women in consecrated life – for your dedication. Without you, very little could have been achieved; with you, however, miracles become possible. We have seen proof of this. I have seen,” concluded the prelate, “the Lord at work here in the Gulf, even in the darkest moments. So, once again, thank you.”
His years of ministry have seen significant developments in the life of the Church in the Gulf, including the construction of churches, the growth of Catholic schools and the strengthening of pastoral structures serving a large and diverse migrant community. In his homily, his successor, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, reflected on Bishop Hinder’s ministry in the light of the Gospel commandment to love God and one’s neighbour, highlighting his life of prayer, his dedication to the faithful and his commitment to fraternity and dialogue. The Swiss-born prelate has always been deeply shaped by the faith of the people he has served: “This is the heart of Bishop Paul’s witness. A father,” emphasised Bishop Martinelli, “who never ceased to feel like a son himself; he was not merely a shepherd to others, but also allowed others to sustain him through their faith. A shepherd who remains a disciple; a father who remains a son.”
A Journey of Grace
The Mass of thanksgiving also provided an opportunity to present Bishop Hinder’s biography, entitled: “A Journey of Grace: The Life and Ministry of Bishop Paul Hinder”, published by ATC Publishers. The book traces the bishop’s life, from his childhood in Switzerland and his vocation as a Capuchin friar through to the roles he held within the Capuchin Order and his episcopal ministry on the Arabian Peninsula. The book is edited by Fr Darick Paul D’Souza, a Capuchin priest who served as secretary to the Vicar Emeritus and who currently holds the post of secretary to Bishop Martinelli.
Based on a series of interviews conducted by Fr Darick with Monsignor Hinder in Switzerland during the summer of 2023, the biography offers a personal account of his journey, weaving together memories, experiences and reflections on his religious and episcopal life. In the foreword to the book, Monsignor Paolo Martinelli writes: “Monsignor Paul has shown great love for the land of Arabia, its people and, above all, the Catholic faithful whom Providence has entrusted to him.” In the latest interview published in recent days on the website of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (www.avosa.org), the prelate sums up the meaning and value of these years of mission in the Gulf as follows: “What was most important to me was building a Church made up of living people. I have always said,” concludes Monsignor Hinder, “that stones are important, but living stones are even more so. It is they who make up the Church.”
(Photo credit: Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia/AVOSA)
