In Saudi Arabia, a theocratic monarchy where Islam is the sole permitted religion ‘A living and discreet Church’: Despite persecution, the Catholic faith endures.
Newsroom (16/07/2025, Gaudium Press)In Saudi Arabia, a theocratic monarchy where Islam is the sole permitted religion, religious freedom is virtually nonexistent. Yet, within its vast expanse—spanning over 772,200 square miles, roughly the size of Mexico—a significant Catholic population perseveres in secrecy. According to the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, more than 1 million Catholics reside in the kingdom, part of a broader ecclesiastical jurisdiction that includes Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, home to nearly 35 million people, of whom over 2 million are Catholic.
“The vast majority of non-Muslims have no religious freedom,” said Bishop Aldo Berardi, who has led the vicariate since 2023. Unlike Qatar, which permitted a church complex in 2008, Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s most restrictive nations for religious practice, as documented by organizations like Open Doors and Aid to the Church in Need. Conversion from Islam is deemed apostasy, punishable by death, as is blasphemy against Islam under the iron rule of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
A Clandestine Faith
“Lives are at stake,” Bishop Berardi said cautiously during a press conference organized by Institutional Communications (ISCOM). “I can’t share everything, but they are not abandoned. We communicate, we organize, we enter when possible, and if not, we are present online. There is a living Church, discreet but deeply connected to the universal Church.”
Catholics, primarily Filipino and Indian migrant workers, practice their faith in secret, gathering clandestinely based on language, rite, or spirituality. “There are charismatics, Marians, Trinitarians,” Berardi noted. “Families seek Christian groups to share with, and word spreads among them.” These communities, scattered across the kingdom, rely heavily on the internet for prayer, formation, and catechesis. “Everything is done with absolute discretion because everything is prohibited,” he emphasized. When opportunities arise, Masses are celebrated covertly, always with precautions.
A Lay-Led Church
In rural areas and small towns, access to religious resources is even scarcer. “There are Catholics all over the country—nurses, technicians, teachers—completely dispersed,” Berardi explained. Despite these challenges, lay-led communities sustain the Church’s presence. “It’s a beautiful experience to see laypeople leading communities, education, prayer, and worship. Families teach the catechism. Everything is in their hands,” said Berardi, a member of the Trinitarian order, dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians.
The repression intensified after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, when Saudi Arabia tightened religious controls to counter Shia ideological challenges from Tehran. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s criticism of the kingdom for allowing non-Muslim missionaries prompted their expulsion and a total ban on non-Muslim worship. “Since then, nothing has been authorized,” Berardi lamented.
A Call for Stability
Berardi argued that allowing Catholic clergy a formal presence could benefit Saudi authorities. “Our organization is hierarchical, well-identified. It’s not like other communities where leadership is unclear. If we were allowed clergy and structure, it would be safer for all,” he said. While Saudi Arabia lacks diplomatic ties with the Holy See—unlike Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE—informal contacts have occurred. “A letter may pass through embassies or from the Saudi Embassy in Rome to the Holy See. There seems to be a desire for dialogue, but Islamic tradition blocks it. For them, Saudi Arabia is a great mosque,” Berardi noted.
Despite the constraints, the Church remains vibrant. Berardi confirmed that Catholics from the vicariate will participate in the Jubilee of Youth from July 28 to August 3, 2025, with about 40 young people attending, despite logistical challenges like visas and work schedules. For the recent Jubilee of Priests, 10 representatives were sent.
A Hopeful Future
Berardi’s immediate goal is not full religious freedom but freedom of worship. “We ask that those who are not of their religion be allowed to conduct their worship. We want to care for the millions of Catholics there,” he said. He sees hope in Saudi Arabia’s youth, with 60-70% of the population under 30. “They see the world and don’t understand why their country can’t be open,” he observed. “Social openness has taken hold quickly, though tensions remain with the older generation.”
For now, the Church in Saudi Arabia remains a hidden but resilient presence, sustained by the faith of its laity and the cautious guidance of its leaders. “They will allow it one day,” Berardi said. “Not complete religious freedom, but freedom of worship. That’s what we’re asking for.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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