Bishop Paul Hinder receives US Delegation at St. Joseph's Cathedral

15 March 2022 (Abu Dhabi). 

Today a group of Catholic high-level executives from the United States visited St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The group is part of a delegation which has received a special invitation to visit the UAE from 14-20 March 2022 through the Cultural Diplomacy Department of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington.

At the Cathedral premises, the group was received by Fr. Darick D’Souza, Secretary of Bishop Paul Hinder, Fr. Chito Bartolo, Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral and several other priests and officials who serve in the Vicariate offices. After a tour of the Cathedral and St. Joseph’s School, the delegates had a meeting with His Excellency Bishop Paul Hinder and the newly appointed Charge D'Affairs of the Apostolic Nunciature in the UAE, Msgr. Kryspin Dubiel.

Bishop Paul spoke to the group about the reality of the church in the UAE and the wider Arabian peninsula, its specifically migrant character and experiences of Christians in UAE, Oman and Yemen, where there is also the deep humanitarian crisis. Bishop Paul spoke about both the challenges and opportunities for Christian migrant workers who live and work in the region. He also highlighted several welcome encounters with the Muslim world which he experienced firsthand during his time in the Gulf and the many opportunities for mutual understanding and respect which this afforded. The Bishop also recounted the story of the visit of Pope Francis to the country.

During the coming days, the group will visit many of the UAE’s notable cultural and heritage centers. The highlight of the visit for the delegation will be programme at Expo 2020 which will mark the Holy See National Day on 19 March 2022, for which the Prime Minister of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin is expected to travel to Dubai.

While at the UAE, the delegation is being led by the Head of Cultural Diplomacy of the Embassy of the UAE in Washington, Ms. Dana Al Marashi, whose office also coordinated the visit to the Cathedral.


The delegates led by Ms. Dana Al Marashi pose for a picture with Bishop Paul, Msgr. Kryspin Dubiel, and flanked on the left by Fr. Darick and Fr. Chito, and on the right by Fr. Mosha, Fr. Joby, Fr. Matthias, Mr. Joseph Flynn and Sr. Carmen CSST. 

For more pictures, click here