The Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi, Kuwait, has been elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica, marking it as the first of its kind in the Gulf region.
Newsroom (15/08/2025 Gaudium Press ) In a historic milestone for the Catholic Church in the Arabian Peninsula, the Church of Our Lady of Arabia in Ahmadi, Kuwait, has been elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica, marking it as the first of its kind in the Gulf region. The decree, issued on June 28 by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, recognizes the church’s profound historical, spiritual, and pastoral significance.
Bishop Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, expressed his joy in a phone interview with Vatican News, calling the designation a testament to the church’s enduring role as a spiritual haven for Catholics in Kuwait. “This is an old parish, established in 1948 through the initiative of the Carmelites and built by the Kuwait Oil Company for workers in the oil industry,” Berardi said. “Two years ago, we celebrated its 75th anniversary.”
A Sanctuary of Faith for Migrants
The Church of Our Lady of Arabia holds deep spiritual meaning, particularly for the migrant communities that form the backbone of the Catholic population in the region. “Here, all migrants and those who have come to live and work in the country can practice their faith under the protection of Our Lady,” Berardi noted. The church houses a revered statue of Our Lady of Arabia, originally dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which was blessed by Pope Pius XII in 1949 and crowned in 2011 by Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI.
The presence of the Marian statue in a predominantly Muslim region, where such representations are generally prohibited, underscores the church’s unique role. “It is a shrine of great devotion,” Berardi said, emphasizing its historical and cultural significance. “Even during the Iraq-Kuwait war, the statue of Our Lady stood as a guardian of this small church and a protector for those who could not flee.”
A Historic First for the Gulf
The elevation of the Church of Our Lady of Arabia to Minor Basilica status makes it the first such designation in the Gulf region, encompassing the Apostolic Vicariates of Northern and Southern Arabia. Berardi expressed gratitude to all who contributed to this recognition, from local authorities and religious orders to the Holy See. “This church is a ‘flower’ in the area,” he said, noting its role as a beacon of faith and resilience.
The Northern Vicariate, which includes Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, serves a diverse Catholic community of approximately two million, primarily composed of migrant workers from the Philippines, India, Africa, and Europe. “We are an expression of the universal Church,” Berardi said, highlighting the community’s vibrant faith and devotion to their respective liturgical rites and languages. The Southern Vicariate, covering the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen, serves an additional million Catholics.
A Vibrant Community of Faith
The church’s elevation coincides with growing spiritual engagement in the region, particularly among young Catholics. Many from the Gulf participated in the recent Jubilee of Youth in Rome, an experience Berardi described as a “moment of grace and sharing.” The event allowed young Catholics to connect with their global peers, pray at the sites of martyrs, and participate in a papal Mass at Tor Vergata. “For them, it was a chance to strengthen their faith in a context where public expressions of faith are limited,” he said.
Back in Kuwait, the Church of Our Lady of Arabia continues to foster a dynamic faith community. Alongside regular Masses, Eucharistic adoration, and Marian devotion, the parish supports catechism for children, formation for lay ministers, and charitable initiatives for workers facing difficulties. “Within the boundaries permitted, we organize small activities of assistance and support,” Berardi explained, noting the active presence of groups like the Charismatics and Marian communities.
The Path to Recognition
The decree conferring Minor Basilica status (No. 18/25) followed a formal request by Bishop Berardi, supported by the pastoral efforts of Capuchin Father Roswin Redento Agnelo Pires and the parish council. The designation highlights the church’s historical, spiritual, and architectural value, as well as its special bond with the See of Rome. Among the privileges of a Minor Basilica are the right to display the papal emblem of the crossed keys and to use the ombrellino and tintinnabulum, traditional symbols of papal connection.
“This recognition is not only a great honor for our Vicariate but also a profound affirmation of the living faith of our people on the Arabian Peninsula,” Berardi said. The date for the solemn celebration of the basilica’s proclamation will be announced soon, marking a new chapter in the church’s storied legacy.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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