A 'Spiritual Oasis' – Southern Arabian Cathedral Celebrates 50 Years

Catholic News Agency ^ | 3/23/15 | Antonio Anup Gonsalves

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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Mar 23, 2015 / 05:33 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vicariate Apostolic of Southern Arabia, which serves the more than 2 million Catholics in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen, last week celebrated the 50th anniversary of its cathedral parish.

On March 19, Bishop Paul Hinder, Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia, said a Mass of thanksgiving to mark the anniversary of the founding of St. Joseph's Cathedral, located in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. St. Joseph's is the oldest Catholic church in the emirates.

Bishop Hinder was joined by more than 30 priests, nuns, and over 5,000 laity for the Mass.

“We are extremely happy in celebrating this golden jubilee, that over the years grew from a small pastoral ministry to today serving a large Catholic community in UAE,” Fr. Anthony Swamy Savarimuthu, a priest at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, told CNA March 20.

Fr. Savarimuthu explained that the parish was blessed on Feb. 19, 1965, “thus fulfilling the providential hand of Almighty God, through the generosity of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi and the hard work of the Franciscan friars and some staunch Catholic immigrants.”

Fifty years ago, Sheikh Shakhbut, ruler of Abu Dhabi, granted 11 acres of land on the Corniche, a beachside road in the city, to the Catholic Church as a sign of his patronage to the many Catholics who were committed to the development of the emirates.

In 1981 his successor, Sheikh Zayed II, decided to move St. Joseph's to a new location, and the present church building was inaugurated in 1983. Beginning in 2013, it underwent major renevations to provide for a new parish hall, as well as priests' offices and residence.

“On this occasion it is fitting that we unfurl the history and remember the virtuous.....