From May 14 to 18, Bishop Paolo Martinelli carried out a pastoral visit to St. Francis of Assisi Church, in Jebel Ali. As a distinctive aspect of his pastoral visits, the Bishop encouraged the community to deepen its understanding of synodality and of what it means to be a truly synodal Church.

The visit was particularly awaited after last year’s pastoral visit had to be cancelled following the death of Pope Francis and this year’s visit was delayed due to the temporary closure of the parish because of the ongoing situation in the Gulf. Even today, several restrictions remain in place: gatherings outside the church are not permitted and all parish activities remain suspended except for liturgical celebrations.

“These limitations should become opportunities to strengthen our shared journey, to become an ever more synodal Church on mission,” the Bishop said, encouraging the faithful to live every circumstance in the light of faith.

Thanks to the security measures implemented in the parish in accordance with the requests of the local authorities, the Bishop was nevertheless able to celebrate with the faithful and meet representatives of the different groups, communities, and ministries. During the visit, he also installed new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and blessed the members of the new Parish Pastoral Council at the beginning of their mandate.

Since the church is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, it was particularly meaningful to formally declare the parish a Jubilee Church for the Franciscan Year. “I hope this year will be an opportunity to deepen the knowledge of the Franciscan spirituality, which has supported and continues to support the Christian presence in the Middle East and the Gulf,” the Bishop said. During the visit, Bishop Paolo also officially inaugurated the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the parish.

Meetings with young people remain particularly close to the Bishop’s heart. He encouraged the parish community to continue reaching out to the many young people who remain distant from parish life for various reasons, including those who drift away after completing catechism.

“It was a great joy to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for so many young people,” he said. “I pray that they may become more involved in parish life and be authentic witnesses of Christ. I also pray that they may recognize the voice of the Lord and respond generously to their vocation.”

A particularly meaningful moment of the visit was the Mass celebrated with children with special needs and their families. During the celebration, the Bishop conferred the Sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation on several children. “Jesus loves each one of you in a special and personal way. He is close to you and lives within you,” the Bishop said in his homily. “The sacraments you receive today deepen and strengthen His presence in your hearts.”

The days of the pastoral visit were also marked by the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. “This fundamental mystery of the Christian faith illuminates the meaning of the Church we are called to be,” the Bishop reflected. “Christ remains present in the Eucharist and in all the sacraments; He remains present in the Word of God proclaimed in the liturgy; He remains present in the unity of believers, in the unity of the Church, for which Jesus prayed before His death.”

According to Bishop Paolo, “it is necessary that we grow as a united Church, respecting and valuing diversity. This is the meaning of the synodal journey.”