A conversation with Msgr. Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia

By Simone Baroncia
Awali, Friday, December 1, 2023 2:00 pm (ACI Press).

In recent weeks, the extraordinary jubilee in the Apostolic Vicariates of Arabia for the 1500th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Arethas and Companions opened with a solemn Eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, Bahrain, presided over by Msgr. Aldo Berardi, apostolic vicar of Northern Arabia (which covers the states of the Arabian Peninsula: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) preceded by the rite of the opening of the Holy Door: “We consider this a year of grace for the entire Vicariate and for all the Christian communities present in the Arabian Gulf. Let us celebrate in faith the memory of our Christian ancestors who gave their lives for Christ, remaining faithful to the end.”

In his testimony, Msgr. Aldo Berardi underlined that the Jubilee is a propitious occasion to rediscover the memory of the ancient martyrs of the Arabian Peninsula, and find comfort in their stories of faith and martyrdom because of their closeness to Christ: “This Jubilee Year is an opportunity to renew our missionary spirit and deepen our faith. We, in turn, must bear witness to Christ and the Gospel by living a holy and consistent life. There is a general interest in parishes and prayer groups, of all spiritualities and all ethnic groups, to enter into the spirit of the Jubilee. Even the children in catechism participate joyfully in this general enthusiasm.” For this Jubilee Pope Francis has granted plenary indulgence until October 23rd of next year.

We asked him to tell us how the encounter with Christianity occurred in the Arabian Peninsula:

“There are traces of a very ancient Christian presence in the Arabian Peninsula. Archaeologists have confirmed the writings and documents in the possession of historians. Christian communities have therefore existed since the beginning of Christianity. Apostles and Evangelists have passed through here. The missionaries came from Palestine and Ethiopia. The dispersion after the fall of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD ‘launched’ the Christian community in the region. Thus churches, monasteries and bishoprics were born. There has been gradual development and constant evangelization in the region. It is true that, alongside polytheism, a certain monotheism coexisted, which favored the Christian system. Until the advent of Islam, Christianity flourished.”

What does it mean to celebrate the Jubilee of the martyrdom of Saint Arethas?

“This Jubilee is very important for us. We commemorate the event of Najran, an oasis in southern Arabia, where the large Christian community was martyred. We reconnect with our Christian history; we are inspired by the testimony of the martyrs and renew our adherence to Christ. The martyrs were steadfast in their faith, and today we are witnesses of that same faith, which enlivens and plunges us in the heart of the Trinity. Memory, therefore, deepens the faith and renews our baptismal commitments. We want to be worthy of the martyrs, but also to relive the missionary spirit for a deeper and more dynamic testimony. We are finally called to convert and live as children of light in this region.”

Who was Saint Arethas?

“Saint Arethas was a layman, head of the city of Najran, a political leader but also a religious figure. His life was described in the account of his martyrdom. Having converted at a very young age, he was a wise and respected man. He acted according to Christian principles and defended the local population. It is true that the region has often been characterized by rebellions and regime changes. He remains steadfast in the faith and urged Christians to defend their faith against a tyrant king, who demanded the rejection of Christ in exchange for their lives. He was beheaded at an advanced age.”

What does the martyrdom of Saint Arethas and companions teach?

“These martyrs maintained their Christian faith in the face of ridicule, persecution and threats. They remained steadfast in the faith. Looking to the past inspires us. Life in the past was no easier than life today. The faith was transmitted and remained like a lighthouse in the storm and a beacon in the night. It is the way of life and light for those who look to Christ and follow Him. Today we are witnesses of the Risen One, with our words and our works, with our weaknesses and our strengths, with the same love that animated the martyrs. It is up to us to stand up and bear witness to Christ with an honest and coherent life, a life given out of love and oriented towards Good and Beauty, towards brotherly love and commitment to peace, justice and tolerance”.

What does it mean to be a Church of migrants?

“Of course Islam is the local religion; therefore there are very few indigenous Christians. Our Church is made up of expatriate Christians who arrived in the region for economic reasons. There were job opportunities after the discovery and exploitation of oil. The Gulf countries have developed at a dizzying pace. Proceeds from oil sales are giving impetus to the region. There is work for everyone. Among these expatriates, Christians are numerous (more than 2,000,000), of every origin, language, nation and rite. The result is a very diversified Church, which takes care of its differences, but lives in the unity of faith. The same Lord unites us in our differences, which are accepted and respected. The Church grows at the rate of arrivals and departures. The population changes. Our faithful pass by and then return to their countries or emigrate to other countries. This may limit us in our apostolate, but we are at the service of these changing communities. Having left for other horizons, they found the same Catholic Church that welcomed them.”

How can faiths fuel peace?

“Faiths always talk about peace. There is a desire for peace that comes from the hearts. Interreligious dialogue informs us about this dynamic of faith tending towards peace. We talk about it. We develop it. Everyone tries to find the elements in their own tradition that will nourish peace. There is no other way than prayer and dialogue. Knowing others opens the mind to the possibility of understanding each other beyond differences and fears. Fear feeds on ignorance and prejudice. Fear leads to violence and the damage is enormous. They are harmful to the future. Interrupted dialogue is difficult to engage again. Let us try by all means to stay in touch with each other in this desire for peace.”

How is the situation in the Holy Land perceived in the Vicariate of Northern Arabia?

“This caused great pain. Religious communities were stunned to learn of the violence. They condemn them! Christians pray and fast: it is a spiritual response to violence and revenge. We do not engage in politics, but our concern for humanity remains vigilant. We share the concern of our neighbors and everyone is invited to participate in the solidarity movement according to their possibilities. The Arab population sides with the Palestinian people. The political authorities are more moderate, but cannot accept this situation, which jeopardizes the fragile balance of this region. Geopolitics are changing and dialogue efforts are weakened. We feel in our flesh the pain of the Holy Land and pray for peace. Our Jubilee encourages us to be committed and compassionate.”

*Unofficial English translation of an interview published online in the Italian edition of ACI Stampa. The original article can be accessed here.