TDT | manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain is a model of peaceful coexistence of many different faiths living and working side by side, thanks to religious freedom and Bahrain’s openness to a pluralistic world.
It was according to a prominent bishop in an interview with the Crux, well known for its coverage of the Vatican and the Catholic Church, “For many Catholics in Bahrain, who have been looking forward to this visit since the King of Bahrain personally invited the Pope, it’s like a dream come true,” said Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of North Arabia, ahead of Pope Francis’ historic visit to Bahrain at the invitation of His Majesty the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Highlighting Bahrain’s unique religious composition and tolerance, Bishop Hinder noted, “The Kingdom has been very welcoming to the expatriate Christian community and provides an atmosphere of openness and tolerance for people of different faiths to practice their faith.
“Bahrain is a vibrant community with a rich cultural mix – a model of the peaceful coexistence of the many different faiths that live and work side by side in the island nation.” Program The Pope will visit Bahrain from November 3-6 and participate in the Bahrain Dialogue Forum: East and West for Human Coexistence”.
The Forum, on November 3 and 4, is part of Bahrain’s desire and strategic orientation to build bridges of dialogue between leaders of faith and leaders of thought, culture and the media, in cooperation with Al Azhar, the Catholic Church, the Muslim Council of Elders, and international institutions concerned with dialogue, human coexistence and tolerance.
Relations Archbishop Hinder said that relations between Bahrain and the Vatican have progressed a lot in recent years. “In 2014, His Majesty King Hamad presented a model of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia to Pope Francis and also invited the Pontiff to visit the Kingdom.
This was followed by visits by Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Salman in 2020 and the King’s representative who renewed the invitation again in 2021,” he told the Crux.
