Following recent changes affecting parish celebrations at St. Mary’s, Dubai, and St. Francis of Assisi, Jebel Ali, Bishop Paolo has addressed  the following message to the faithful of these communities, offering words of closeness, encouragement, and prayer. He also states that the current circumstances requires the moving of the liturgies online and the closure of churches in Dubai and Jabal Ali:

Dear Parishioners,
May the Lord give you peace.

I would like to express my closeness to you during these holy days, as we celebrate the foundation of our faith, Christ Jesus, dead and risen.

Unfortunately, the current circumstances required the moving of the liturgies online and the closure of churches in Dubai and Jabal Ali. We sincerely hope to return to celebrating together with all of you in our churches soon.

Everything had been thoroughly prepared by the parish priests, the priests, and their collaborators. I thank them all for their dedication.

It is certainly painful not to be able to take part in person in the beautiful and rich celebrations of the Holy Week. 

We thank the Lord that the liturgies can be streamed live, allowing everyone to participate spiritually.

I invite you to offer the difficulties of these days in union with Christ so that this sacrifice may bear fruit for the good of the Church and for peace in the world.

The Risen Christ, Prince of Peace, is our peace.
We pray incessantly for an end to the war and for peace and reconciliation.

May the Lord bless you all and your families.

+ Paolo Martinelli, OFMCap
Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia