ASIA/BAHRAIN – “Mother church” in Manama becomes a Shrine of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia

Manama – Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, will celebrate the Pontifical Mass on November 8th, and will declare the Church of the Sacred Heart in Manama as “Vicarial Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” This historic event is a significant milestone in the 85th Jubilee year of Sacred Heart Church, the oldest Catholic church in the region, with the exception of Yemen.

This was announced to Fides by Apostolic Vicar Berardi upon his return from the meeting of the Episcopal Conference held in Jordan. During his stay in the Hashemite Kingdom, Bishop Berardi visited the Church of the Baptism of Jesus, consecrated on January 10th at the site of the Baptism-Al Maghtas. “It is a beautiful church,” he reports with emotion, “where one can sense deep faith and resilience.”

Speaking of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Manama, the Bishop emphasized the great historical and spiritual significance of the event, as it is the oldest church, consecrated in 1940. Often referred to as The Mother Church, Sacred Heart Church has long been a center of spiritual
vitality and intercession for the diverse Catholic population living and working in Bahrain. Over the years, it has drawn pilgrims and devotees from across the Gulf.

The Apostolic Vicar, Bishop Aldo desiring to preserve and promote the historical dignity and spiritual character of this church, wishes to establish it as a Vicariate Shrine and will appoint a Rector of the Vicarial
Shrine, who shall be responsible for its pastoral care, administration, and the fostering of devotion
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Rector shall also be entrusted with the preservation and promotion of the church’s historical heritage, as well as the supervision of its physical maintenance and upkeep.

Sacred Heart Church Bahrain was first established on Christmas Eve. Its bells rang for the first time on 24 December 1939 at 11PM. It was H.H. Shaikh
Haman Bin Isa Al Khalifa, then Ruler of Bahrain, who graciously offered a plot of land to build the church.
On March 3, 1940, the church was formally blessed.

The Decree establishing the church as a Shrine was promoted by Bishop Aldo Berardi and takes effect November 1st, 2025.

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