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February 20, 2023Abu Dhabi.
A Solemn Thanksgiving Prayer Service was conducted in the St. Francis Church of the Abrahamic Family House, Saadiyat Island, on 19 February 2023. His Eminence Cardinal Michael L. Fitzgerald, the representative of Pope Francis, delivered his address at the ceremony, which is the first prayer service held at the Church.
The official consecration will be held later, after which the sacraments can be administered in the church, which is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi.
Msgr. Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, welcomed everyone at the church. His Excellency Bishop Paolo Martinelli, the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, His Excellency Bishop Paul Hinder, the Apostolic Vicar Emeritus and Msgr. Kryspin Dubiel, the Charge D’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in the United Arab Emirates were present along with other dignitaries, clergy and lay representatives.
Conveying the greetings of the Pope, Cardinal Fitzgerald said at the prayer service, "He would also encourage all of us, gathered here today, to continue in the culture of dialogue as our path; to adopt mutual cooperation as our code of conduct; and to endeavour to make reciprocal understanding the constant method of our undertakings."
Bishop Paolo Martinelli concluded the service with his thanksgiving speech, in which he thanked everyone who was present at the event. He thanked the rulers of the United Arab Emirates, especially His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his vision for this House, Mr Abdulla Al Shehhi, the Director of the Abrahamic Family house and Sir David Adjaye, the architect who designed and built the House.
The Abrahamic Family House, a complex encompassing a Church, Mosque and Synagogue, in the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, was officially inaugurated on 16 February 2023 by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.
This complex is the fruit of the Document of Human Fraternity signed at Abu Dhabi by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, during the visit of Pope Francis to the United Arab Emirates in February 2019.
Read:
Address of Cardinal Fitzgerald | Thanksgiving Speech of Bishop Paolo Martinelli