Bahrain’s Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Declared a Sanctuary, Marking Historic Step for Dialogue and Faith

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bahrain’s oldest Catholic church and one of the earliest in the Arabian Peninsula outside Yemen, has been officially declared a Sanctuary of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. The proclamation will take place on Saturday, November 8, during a solemn celebration presided over by Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia.

Consecrated in 1940, the Sacred Heart Church, often referred to as the “Mother Church” of Manama, has been a center of prayer, charity, and interreligious friendship for more than eight decades. Located in the heart of the capital, it serves a diverse Catholic population composed largely of expatriate workers from across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Over the years, it has become both a spiritual home for the faithful and a symbol of Bahrain’s longstanding openness to religious coexistence.

The new designation coincides with the 85th anniversary of the church’s founding, giving the event special significance. The decree, issued on November 1, establishes the church as a place of pilgrimage where the faithful may receive a partial indulgence when attending the votive Mass of the Sacred Heart on Thursdays or Fridays under the usual conditions of confession, Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope.

The Vicariate’s statement announced the formation of lay associations devoted to the Sacred Heart within the new sanctuary. These groups will promote devotion through prayer meetings, novenas, spiritual talks, and cultural events that preserve and share the rich history of the church. The sanctuary will also become a focal point for guided pilgrimages and catechetical formation.

Bishop Berardi will soon appoint a rector responsible for overseeing the sanctuary’s pastoral mission, maintenance, and devotional activities. The rector will also guide efforts to safeguard the church’s historical heritage and ensure that its message of faith and charity continues to inspire new generations.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Bishop Berardi described the occasion as a “historic moment for dialogue and tolerance.” He expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the people of Bahrain for their enduring hospitality. “In this environment of peace and friendship, we are witnessing another milestone for the Catholic Church in the Arabian Peninsula,” he said.

Bishop Berardi linked the declaration to the spirit of interreligious dialogue fostered by Pope Francis, who visited Bahrain in 2022, the first Pope ever to do so. He said the new sanctuary “unfolds in a setting of tolerance and coexistence, reminding us that we are not strangers but brothers and sisters united in our shared humanity.”

Recalling the church’s foundation on Christmas Eve, 1939, Bishop Berardi noted that its first bells rang an hour before midnight on that holy night, signaling a message of hope that continues to resonate today. “The Sacred Heart,” he said, “is not only a symbol of divine love, but a call to unity, compassion, and peace among all peoples.”