Apostolic Vicar to Saudi Arabia on Religious Freedom

(15 Jan 08 - RV) Bishops from the Arab world are currently in Rome on their Ad Limina visit to the thresholds of the Apostles.

Known by the acronym C.E.R.L.A the group of 12 bishops covers 21 nations over a geographical region that stretches from Cyprus to Syria and includes Iraq, Israel, Somalia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On Monday Pope Benedict XVI received a first delegation in private audience here at the Vatican. Among them Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar to the Gulf Nations including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 Bishop Hinder spoke about the challenges facing the Church in the region and the historic 2007 meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and of King Abdallah:

“I think King Abdullah’s visit to the Pope was a very very strong sign also, for the country itself, it was reported in national press, which wouldn’t have happened without agreement from top levels that the general public could be shown pictures of the Pope with the cross. These are signs which show a certain will, or intention to greater “opening”. Now of course we, especially Europeans, we have a tendency to expect fruits immediately, I don’t think that’s the right way to approach the Arabian world and especially not Saudi Arabia, where we have to do with a very complex situation where it takes time and patience. There might be two steps forward and in certain situations there might also be a step backwards, as we have seen in similar situations in other countries. What is needed is delicacy, in our approach to the situation. I’m not expecting fast changes but I hope that we can move forward in a slow and sustainable progress. That’s more important for me, than a big show. I’m not expecting us to be able to build a huge Church tomorrow in Riyadh, and I would even say that to the King. The first step has to be that we get security for our people that they can gather in even more modest buildings, and to exercise their faith freely, that they don’t need to hide that they are recognised as human beings also through their relationship with their God, which means in my case with the God of Jesus Christ”.
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