The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Manama, Bahrain — the oldest Catholic church on the Arabian Peninsula outside Yemen — has been declared a sanctuary of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. The official proclamation will take place on Saturday, 8 November, during a solemn celebration presided over by the Apostolic Vicar, Bishop Aldo Berardi.

The “Mother Church” of Manama

Consecrated in 1940 and often referred to as the “mother church,” the Sacred Heart Church has long been a centre of spiritual vitality and intercession for the Catholic faithful living and working in the small Gulf kingdom. It also holds significant historical value, having welcomed pilgrims and devotees from across the region over the decades.

The elevation to a Sanctuary

The celebration coincides with the 85th jubilee year of the church’s founding, adding special meaning to an already important occasion. With its designation as a sanctuary, a partial indulgence will be granted to pilgrims and faithful who take part in the votive Mass of the Sacred Heart on Thursdays or Fridays, under the usual conditions of sacramental confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope.

According to the decree issued on 1 November and announced by the Vicariate, lay associations dedicated to the Sacred Heart will be established within the sanctuary. These groups will help preserve and promote devotion to the Sacred Heart, organising prayer meetings, novenas, and other devotional activities, as well as conferences, guided visits, and initiatives to safeguard and share the history of the site.

Pastoral care

Bishop Berardi will appoint a rector for the new vicariate sanctuary, who will be responsible for its pastoral care, administration, and the promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The rector will also oversee the preservation and dissemination of the church’s historical heritage, as well as its physical upkeep and maintenance.

A historic moment for dialogue and tolerance

“On this occasion,” said Bishop Berardi in remarks reported by Vatican media, “we wish to express our deep gratitude for the hospitality and generosity of Bahrain, its people, and in particular His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. In this context of dialogue, peace, and friendship, we are witnessing another historic moment for the Catholic Church in the Arabian Peninsula — a true milestone for us.”

He added that this development, made possible in part through the steps taken during the pontificate of Pope Francis — the first Pope to visit Bahrain in 2022 — “unfolds in an environment of tolerance and coexistence, reminding us that we are not strangers but brothers and sisters united by our shared humanity.”

“This spirit,” Bishop Berardi continued, “has flourished since Saint Francis of Assisi journeyed to Egypt to meet Sultan al-Malik, showing that true peace is built through dialogue and mutual understanding. The Church proposes devotion to the Sacred Heart not as a sentimental image, but as a living sign of God’s love for humanity.”

The Church’s foundation in 1939

The Sacred Heart Church of Bahrain was founded on Christmas Eve, 1939. Its bells rang for the first time an hour before midnight on that holy night. The foundation stone had been laid on 9 June 1939, and the church was solemnly consecrated on 3 March 1940.