Address of HE Bishop Paolo Martinelli during Diplomatic Reception of Welcome

04 July 2022 (Abu Dhabi). 

Today evening, Bishop Paolo was officially welcomed by Bishop Paul Hinder OFM Cap. and Msgr. Kryspin Dubiel, the Charge d'affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to the UAE in the presence of HE Omar Saif Ghobash, Ambassador of the UAE to the Holy See and a number of diplomats and business leaders. 

Below is the text of the address of Bishop Paolo at the gathering: 

Your Excellency, Omar Saif bin Ghobash, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Cultural Affairs.

Your Excellency, Bishop Paul Hinder. Monsignor Kryspin Dubiel,

Your Excellencies, colleagues, and friends. as-salamu Alaykum! Peace be with you all.

I am very happy to meet you today on this beautiful occasion; I thank you for accepting the invitation, and I am very grateful for your precious words.

I thank God the Most High for choosing me to come to this land. The Lord calls me to this region so unlike my homeland, but which I find fascinating on so many levels. This land is so rich in spiritual traditions that it arouses a strong attraction in my heart that pushes me towards new acquaintances and new encounters.

I thank Pope Francis for sending me as Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.  His important visit to Abu Dhabi over three years ago inspires in my heart the desire to deepen that historical encounter, in which was signed the prophetical document on the universal fraternity.

I thank also with gratitude my predecessor Bishop Paul and all the people who wholeheartedly welcomed me here. The precious work done by my predecessor is an essential point of reference for the task that I have just started.

I thank the Government of the United Arab Emirates for accepting me into this wonderful country. I am deeply touched in my heart by the gentleness and spirit of hospitality I experienced during these first days in Abu Dhabi.

My first impression of this land is very positive. I can see the vision of the leaders who guided the development of this modern country. When I arrived, I was amazed to find, not only such great infrastructure but also a well-developed society with an open-minded approach.

I am thrilled to come to the land of Human Fraternity and Brotherhood. I have heard from my predecessor, and I can see directly now that this country is a global village for many nationalities, cultures and languages to coexist and enrich each other.

With honour, I salute the Father of this nation for sowing the seeds of fraternity and inclusiveness into the hearts of people.

The whole world needs to learn to live together among people of different cultures; here in this nation, we can find an example of the positive coexistence of people from different traditions and religions in an inclusive, tolerant and modern society.

I would like to take a significant image that Pope Francis used in his document Evangelii Gaudium in order to describe a modern society: “our model is not the sphere, which is no greater than its parts, where every point is equidistant from the centre, and there are no differences between them. Instead, it is the polyhedron, which reflects the convergence of all its parts, each of which preserves its distinctiveness. … It is the convergence of peoples who, within the universal order, maintain their own individuality; it is the sum total of persons within a society which pursues the common good, which truly has a place for everyone”.

I greet with joy His Highness, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, and assure his highness my prayerful support in his work to lead the country.

I want to tell all the Emirs and ministers of this country, that you have a brother here who prays for you. May God give you all the wisdom and strength to guide the nation into the path of prosperity and peace.

I greet with joy your excellencies, the Ambassadors. I am happy to know you all and extend the hand of friendship and collaboration.

I assure all the civil and religious leaders in this country that we are partners in building a better human family.

I greet people of all Faiths and Religions in this country and tell you that I come to you in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi, as a friend and a brother. All religions should work together for the common good and for the promotion of goodwill. We all are indeed called to build up a more fraternal world. “Faith leads a believer to see in the other a brother or sister to be supported and loved”. Hence, different religions can greatly contribute to societies throughout the world by promoting peace, love, and justice.

Thank you all for coming this evening to express your solidarity and friendship.

Thank you, Your Excellency Omar Saif Ghobash, for your presence and look forward to our collaboration.

Thank you one and all.