Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Doha (Agenzia Fides) - Fr. Tomasito Veneracion, a Philippine priest that has been caring for the Catholic community in Qatar for years now, will have the joy of celebrating Mass in the new church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the first Catholic church in the Emirate. In the solemn celebration that will take place on March 15, in Doha, Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, will consecrate the new church and its adjoining parish complex. All together, it is the largest Catholic center on the entire Arabian peninsula.
The land for building the Church in Doha was donated by Emir Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who governs Qatar (see Fides 6/10/2004), who has in recent years stood out for his initiatives in promoting and supporting interreligious dialogue (although the Emirate is governed by Islamic law). The construction of the Church has been made possible thanks to the contributions and efforts from the Catholic citizens living in Qatar.
Among those present in the celebration will be the Apostolic Vicar of Arabia, Archbishop Paul Hinder, as well as Catholic lay faithful and Christians of other denominations.
The Catholics in Qatar are very excited about the event, especially considering it will be the first time they celebrate the rites of Holy Week and the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ in a real church, dedicated to Our Lady. Until now, Fr. Veneracion has had to celebrate Mass and administer the Sacraments taking refuge in embassies or in other public and private places, wherever he could. The church will become a point of reference for other Christians of the Emirate, as well. According to estimated calculations, close to half of the 800,000 inhabitants of Qatar are immigrant workers (among which there are 45,000 Philippine people). The number of Catholics is close to 100,000. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 6/3/2008 righe 25, parole 306)
