New catholic church in Qatar

March 15, 2008 will go down the annals of the Catholic Church in the Vicar Apostolic of Arabia and Qatar as a day on which the dreams of millions of Catholics, both religious and lay people, saw the light of the day, a day on which the first Roman Catholic Church in Qatar was officially consecrated.

The first mass was celebrated today by His Eminence Cardinal Ivan Diaz and concelebrated by His Excellencies Arch Bishop Mounged El Hachem, Apostolic Nuncio to Qatar, Bishop Paul Hinder, Vicar Apostolic of Arabia, Bishop Bernard Gremoli, Former Vicar Apostolic of Arabia, Archbishop Giuseppe De Andrea, Former Apostolic Nuncio to Qatar, Bishop Camillo Ballin, Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait and a galaxy of priests. Former priests who have previously served in Qatar were also present; one of the earliest priests Fr. Gerry Dunne being 89 years of age. The other former priests were Fr. Leszek Wisniewski, Fr. Jerome Peedikaparambil and Fr. John Van Deerlin. Fr John has served this parish in Qatar from 1989 and 2002 and holds a very special place in the hearts of the parishioners. Fr. Lester Mendonsa, the predecessor of Fr. Tomasito Veneracion, the present parish priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, who served this parish from 2002 to 2005, was unable to be a part of this celebration and was sorely missed.

Labels: church, qatar, travel