Manama: the Church of the Sacred Heart declared a Vicariate Shrine
It is one of the oldest places of worship on the Arabian Peninsula and is a ‘symbol of faith, history and devotion that attracts the faithful’ from all over the region. Consecrated in 1940, on 8 November it will celebrate an event considered a ‘milestone’ for Catholics in the Gulf. A rector will be appointed to preserve and promote its ‘historical dignity’ and ‘spiritual character’.
Manama (AsiaNews) - The Christian community of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, led by Bishop Aldo Berardi, is preparing to celebrate a day of festivities with the Church of the Sacred Heart in Manama, Bahrain, declared the Vicariate Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The place of worship is one of the most important and historic in the region and is located just under 30 km from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, the seat of the Northern Vicariate since 2021.
‘It is the oldest Catholic church on the Arabian Peninsula’ with the exception of Yemen, explains a patriarchal note sent to AsiaNews. It was ‘consecrated in 1940’ and is a ‘symbol of faith, history and devotion that attracts the faithful’ from all over the territory.
Known as the ‘Mother Church,’ it will be ‘officially declared the Vicariate Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Saturday, 8 November,’ in an event that represents a ‘milestone’ for Catholics in the Gulf.
‘Often referred to as the Mother Church, the Church of the Sacred Heart,’ the Vicariate's statement continues, ‘has long been a centre of spiritual vitality and intercession for the diverse Catholic population living and working in Bahrain’ and, over the years, has ‘attracted pilgrims and devotees from across the Gulf.’ The solemn celebration scheduled for the first ten days of November coincides with the ‘85th jubilee year of the church’ itself, ‘adding historical significance to an already significant occasion.’ During the day, a solemn Mass will be celebrated, presided over by the Apostolic Vicar, Monsignor Berardi.
‘With the Church of the Sacred Heart established as a shrine, a partial indulgence is granted to pilgrims and devotees,’ the vicariate emphasises, ‘who participate in the votive Mass on Thursday or Friday of the Sacred Heart’ after confession, communion and prayer for the intentions of the Pope. The faithful ‘are encouraged to make pilgrimages to the Shrine to seek divine grace, manifested in a special way in this holy place where the human and the divine meet.’
Lay associations within the shrine and devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will also be present, with the task of organising prayer meetings, novenas and other devotional activities.
The vicariate extends its jurisdiction over four states on the peninsula, with different social, political and religious freedom situations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the latter being a country where no other religion is allowed apart from Islam but where there is a Catholic presence.
In 2020, upon the death of the last vicar, Monsignor Camillo Ballin, who was succeeded as administrator by Monsignor Paul Hinder, former vicar of Southern Arabia, there were almost 2.8 million baptised Catholics out of a population of approximately 43 million.
The territory is divided into 11 parishes, with its headquarters in Awali, Bahrain, where the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia stands. It is a reality composed overwhelmingly of economic migrants from Asia, particularly India, and different rites such as that of the Syro-Malabars, to whom the late Pope Francis had granted jurisdiction over those who are in the Middle East for work.
To preserve and promote the “historical dignity” and “spiritual character” of the future vicariate sanctuary, Monsignor Aldo Berardi intends to appoint a rector who “will be responsible for its pastoral care, administration and promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus”.
The new figure will also be responsible for the ‘preservation and promotion of the historical heritage of the church, as well as the supervision of its physical maintenance and upkeep’. ‘The new title will bring with it privileges and responsibilities,’ the note concludes, ‘that reflect the deep reverence for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Church's commitment to preserving its spiritual heritage’.
The Sacred Heart Church in Bahrain hosted its first celebration on Christmas Eve, with the bells ringing for the first time at 11 p.m. on 24 December 1939. It was the first church to be built in the region, on a plot of land donated by the then ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Haman Bin Isa Al Khalifa, and built thanks to the personal commitment of Fr Luigi, a Capuchin priest. The ceremony to lay the foundation stone took place on 9 June 1939, while the formal blessing was given on 3 March 1940.
.png)
31/10/2022 10:32
06/10/2022 11:40
