Kuwait City – “Yesterday, March 19, I traveled by car from Awali in Bahrain to Kuwait City for a planned pastoral visit, and this morning we celebrated Holy Mass to begin the visit,” Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, told Fides, who on Wednesday, March 18, celebrated the three-year anniversary of his episcopal consecration at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Manama.
“We are created for life, and therefore we are in the hands of the Father, united with the risen Christ,” the Apostolic Vicar said in his homily. “Let us approach Easter with faith despite the situation. Let us grow as a community under the gaze of the Holy Spirit and bear witness to the risen Christ.”
Bishop Berardi also sent a message on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, which is drawing to a close, conveying “best wishes and blessings to His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, to His Highness the Crown Prince, to the government, and all citizens and residents of the state,” asking God “that this occasion may bring goodness, prosperity, and blessings to all.”
“Given the current situation in our region, we turn to God in prayer, asking Him to grant peace to our countries and the entire world, to replace anxiety with serenity and fear with hope, and to sow the spirit of peace in all hearts. In times of challenge, peace is our shared choice.”
“The Eid al-Fitr holds profound spiritual and human significance, embodied in sincere faith, solidarity with the needy, and a spirit of generosity and forgiveness,” the bishop added. “These are noble values that we all share and that form a solid foundation for building societies characterized by mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.”
“The Catholic Church in Kuwait—its priests, religious, institutions, and all the faithful—expresses its deep appreciation for the security and stability that this country enjoys under its wise leadership and commends the spirit of fraternity and peaceful coexistence that unites the diverse populations of Kuwait. The Church also reaffirms its ongoing commitment to strengthening dialogue and joint action with all partners in society for the good of humanity and its dignity, and to promoting the values of peace and love.”
The Apostolic Vicar concludes his message with an appeal to pray to God “that He may protect the State of Kuwait, its leadership, and its people, continually grant the blessing of security and peace, and bless its efforts to spread goodness and stability in the region.
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