ASIA/UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - “In Christ we are one.” Apostolic Vicar Martinelli recounts Cardinal Tagle’s visit to the Emirates

Abu Dhabi (Agenzia Fides) – The days of Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle’s recent visit to the United Arab Emirates “were memorable not only for the Filipino faithful, but for the entire Vicariate. Through the celebrations and meetings with the Cardinal, we truly experienced unity in diversity, rediscovering that in Christ we are one.”

With these words, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, highlighted the importance of the visit made from December 16 to 18 to the United Arab Emirates by Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches).

Upon arriving in the country that forms part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, Cardinal Tagle conveyed to everyone the greetings and blessing of Pope Leo XIV, expressing his closeness to the local Church.

"His presence, his words, and his blessing," added Bishop Martinelli, a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, in the brief report of the visit released by the Vicariate's Communications Office, "have given us strength and encouragement to continue our journey as pilgrims of hope, as a Church of migrants, witnesses of Christian hope."

Cardinal Tagle traveled to the Emirates primarily to participate in the Simbang Gabi celebrations of the local Filipino Catholic community, the largest in the Vicariate.

Simbang Gabi is a traditional nine-day novena of Masses, celebrated from December 15 to 23 in preparation for Christmas. Throughout the Vicariate, the statement notes, the Simbang Gabi liturgical celebrations were held in the afternoon to accommodate local circumstances.

Cardinal Tagle presided over the Simbang Gabi liturgical concelebrations in Dubai (see Fides, 17/12/2025) and Abu Dhabi, which were attended by more than 30,000 and 18,000 faithful, respectively.

In his homilies, the Pro-Prefect of the Missionary Dicastery shared simple reflections focused on the figures of Mary and Joseph, reminding everyone that the celebration of Christmas can help us recognize God's love for us and allow ourselves to be transformed by it.

Through meetings with Bishop Martinelli and his collaborators—including priests, nuns, and religious, and those responsible for the offices of the Vicariate—Cardinal Tagle was able to experience the intensity of the local Catholic community's ecclesial life and its shared mission in a multicultural context, characterized by a strong commitment to Christian formation activities, attention to young people and families, and dedication to ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.

Cardinal Tagle—Bishop Martinelli emphasizes in the report released by the Communications Office of the Apostolic Vicariate—"exhorted our faithful from all linguistic groups to participate together in ministries, so that they may learn to speak the same language and walk together, sharing the richness of their traditions and placing them at the service of the entire community. This is how we express our 'joyful polyphony of faith,' as Pope Francis affirmed during his pastoral visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2019."

Among the meetings held by Cardinal Tagle in the Emirates was one with the parish council of St. Mary's Church in Dubai, considered the Catholic parish with the largest territory in the world. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 21/12/2025)

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