To all the Priests, Deacons, Nuns and Faithful
of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia
Dear Fathers, Deacons, Nuns and dear Faithful,
Today, 31 May 2011, the history of the Vicariate of Kuwait is at an historical turning-point. As it
has been announced some time ago, the Vicariate of Kuwait is from today enlarged and
comprises of: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and it is called "Apostolic Vicariate of
Northern Arabia". The other Vicariate has now the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Oman and
is called "Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia".
In the last two months I visited with Bishop Paul Hinder the Countries which are now added to
Kuwait. I have to thank Bishop Paul Hinder for his zealous ministry, he has been a very
intelligent and pastoral leader of his Catholic Community. I thank him also for having facilitated
the transfer of the three Countries to our Vicariate, showing an extraordinary generosity and a
profound obedience to the decisions of the Holy See. May God reward him, through the
intercession of Our Lady of Arabia,patroness now of both Vicariates.
Dear all, we have to walk a long and new way together. Until now the Church of Kuwait was
alone,separated from all the Churches of the other Countries of the Gulf.Now we have to form
one Vicariate with Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.Since my first ministry in Kuwait I
stressed very much on the unity of the Church, to form of all, one Catholic Church and not
many Catholic Churches living besides each other and more or less ignoring each other. Now,
this necessity of unity becomes much more required. Otherwise we remain alone, living every
country closed in itself. That's why I accepted and encouraged the idea to celebrate the "Day of
Communion" on June 3, 2011. Priests and lay people from the new Countries of our Vicariate
join us in Kuwait to pray together, to know better each other, to open the horizon of every
Church to the other Churches. The next Unity Congress in Kuwait will be another occasion to
unite more of us. Finally,starting on January 9, 2012, we shall have some days for all the priests
of our new Vicariate. I would like to realize, especially among the priests, and between the
priests and the Bishop, a fraternal deep communion which will make us one body, one
presbyterium, and will facilitate very much our personal life and our ministry.
You inderstand now that my first concern is to have a true unity among you the faithful and among the priests of the four countries. Let us pray for Our Lady of Arabia to intercede for us to God to obtain the grace of unity and mutual love. I am prparing a prayer for that and we can say it every day with the family or alone.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I entrust you, our Vicariate and myself to the mercy and bounty of God our Father, through the intercession of Our Lady of Arabia.
Your Bishop,
Camillo Ballin, mccj
Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia
