UAE: Consecration of new Ras Al Khaimah Church on Jun 14


UAE: Consecration of new Ras Al Khaimah Church on Jun 14

By Alex Crasta

Ras Al Khaimah, Jun 3: Friday June 14, 2013 will be a red letter day in the history of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Catholic community, because, on this day, their newly constructed Church will be consecrated. On the previous day, June 13, a brief official inauguration ceremony will be held in the presence of local dignitaries.

The Church is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua and one could not have chosen a better time for consecration/inauguration, as it coincides with the patron Saint’s Feast on June 13.

The consecration of the Church will be solemnized by the Papal representative Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples, the Archbishop Petar Rajic, Apostolic Nuncio to the Arabian Peninsula and Bishop Paul Hinder Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia, in the presence of dignitaries from Vatican, Provincials, Vice-Provincials, priests, religious and faithful from the RAK and neighboring parishes within the UAE and GCC countries.

Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven Emirates of UAE Federation located in the north closer to the Strait of Hormuz, the entry point to the Gulf. The long time Catholic residents of RAK have sweet memories of how they kept their faith alive in the initial years of their living. Sky was the roof of the RAK church those days, as masses were held in an open air compound and at times, in private villas or homes, in the absence of permission from the authorities. The church services were occasional - fortnightly or monthly conducted by visiting priests from the neighbouring Dubai and Sharjah parishes. After many years of open air compound, villa or home masses, the venue shifted to a fixed place, shared by different Christian denominations.

It was in 1999 the Catholic community managed to build their first place of worship, a chapel on a rented plot of land, in the busy market area, Al Nakheel, but it took 6 more years to use this chapel as a place of worship, due to permission issues. It was on December 17, 2005 this chapel was consecrated by the current Bishop Paul Hinder and since then, the community has been having services at a fixed place, exclusively dedicated to the Catholic community. Notwithstanding the chapel being ready, church, services continued to be weekly or fortnightly, depending upon the availability of priests from Sharjah or Dubai. However this improved to daily from November 2006 onwards, after the appointment of a full- time parish priest.

The chapel which can accommodate approximately 500 faithful, currently spiritually nourishes over 5000 Catholics of diverse nationalities with regular services in English and occasional services in other ethnic languages like Malayalam, Tagalog, Tamil, Konkani, Arabic and Sinhalese. The place is increasingly becoming inadequate to provide comprehensive church services for the rapidly growing Catholic population estimated to be approx. 7000.

The local Government being fully aware of the growing needs and in line with their policy of locating all churches in one area, allotted plots of land in 2007 to different denominations (currently ten) in Al Jazeera and Al Hamra area to build larger/own places of worship.

Fr John Van Deerlin the first parish priest (2006-2007) did the initial ground work. Fr Mathew Fernandes, (2007-2009) who followed him, took the cause forward by having the foundation stone laid. The actual construction however started only in September 2011 by Fr Thomas Ampattukuzy ofm, Cap, the current parish priest since Aug 2009. With the strong support from the Vicariate Bishop, Paul Hinder and the parish community as well as other UAE churches, the new church is getting ready for inauguration.

The new church location is approximately 30 km south from current place and is well connected by road to the neighboring Emirates viz Umm Al Qwain, Ajman and Sharjah. It is a modern state-of-the-art construction which has a seating capacity of 1200 and can accommodate up to 1500 faithful. It also has a basement hall to accommodate other church activities. Two other buildings are constructed in the same compound for offices, accommodation of priests and support staff, besides provision for prayers, meetings and catechism classes.

The vicariate pastor Bishop Paul Hinder sensing the increasing spiritual needs of the community has very recently appointed Fr Maxim Pinto, ofm, Cap from Mangalore to assist the parish priest.

The parish priest, the assistant priest and the Catholic Community of RAK are all excited about this upcoming, rare and once-in-a-lifetime event in the history of the parish. All are working tirelessly to make the Consecration a memorable event.

  

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Comment on this article

  • ANTONY DEVASY, COIMBATORE, PULIAKULAM

    Tue, Jun 11 2013

    ME AND OUR FAMILY PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH BELIEVE IN ST ANTONY'S, AND HE IS ALWAYS DOING MIRACLE IN THIS WORLD FOR THERE BELIEVERS. WE ALL BELIEVE HIM THROUGH CHRIST.

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  • Ronald, Dubai Bantwal

    Sat, Jun 08 2013

    Congratulations to all our Roman Catholics at RAK.& st.Antony pray for us..

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Deepak, Bangalore

    Fri, Jun 07 2013

    Thank you very much Crasta uncle for the beautiful article which gave us the brief history of Ras al khaimah church. We thank each and every one who is directly and indirectly related with the success of our new parish church may the blessings of St. Antony be with you all always. We welcome all of you to be a part of this happiest occasion in the history of Ras al khaimah.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph Rego, Kinigoli/Ras al khaimah

    Wed, Jun 05 2013

    Thanks Crasta for the good article and a detail knowledge of Ras al khaimah church history. St. Antony will bless this church and our Roman community people with his great power of miracles. Thanks to the people for their untiring work for the success of this church.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Oswald & Teresa Pais, Bendur Parish

    Tue, Jun 04 2013

    Congratulations to all catholic community of R.A.K.for having a new Church.We stayed there for around eighteen years & my three daughters studied there got 1st communion & confirmation from Ras-Al Khaimah.We are very much delighted because we know how we usedto worship at the begining. Hats off to everyone.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Clement Cardoza, Kelmbet, Dubai

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    First of all, hearty Thanks and Blessings to the rulers and officials for granting the permission and the plot to build a new church.

    It is indeed a blessing and gift from almighty to all the parishioners of Ras Al Khaimah, to have a new place of worship. May the Patron St. Anthony, shower abundant heavenly blessings on all those who made it possible to have their dream come true.

    May the good Lord bless us all !

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • v.valder, Bondel/Al ain U.A.E

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Congrats to all catholic at RAK.well done .God bless to all.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr.S.Mathias, Mangalore

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Cogrades welldone wishing you all the best,keep it up.Promissing our prayers.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alban D Souza , Udyavara-Mumbai-Doha Qatar

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Great news!.Great job to spread the good news . Let all the faithful worship our God through this beautiful church to lead a happy and peaceful and religious life. Congratulations to all our Roman Catholics at RAK. May The Almighty God Bless the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and the President of UAE and all the faithful Catholics of the region

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aloysius & Merlyn, Udupi/Doha

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Nice Konkani community priest for the new church.Fr. Maxim..
    Our good wishes and prayers with you always
    He is a great simple Priest with many talents

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr.MaxCap Pinto., Paladka/ Ras Al Khaimah

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Its a great news to the people of good will. Great things happen when God mixes with us. Lets praise God and seek His blessings through St.Anthony of Padua. Weldone Alex Crasta, and Daijiworld.com. Thanks for the coverage. I take this opportunity to invite all my daiji-friends for the Ceremony of Consecration and the Feast St.Anthony of Padua.Plse do come. Fr.MaxCap Pinto.Ras Al Khaimah.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mark Denis D'souza, Niddodi/Sharjah-U.A.E.

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    United Arab Emirates proved that,the country is tolerated interfaith religion,multi culture and multy community live peace fully under the Rulres of Shaikhs.Thanks Almighty God for his blessings to this great Nation.Congratulations all the faithful CC who live in the Emirats of RAK,God bless each and every one who worked and made possible Concecration of new RAK Church on 14th June,2013.
    Mark Denis D'souza

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Veronica Rego, Karama/Dubai

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Congratulations to the Parish priest, asst. Parish priest and the entire Catholic community of RAK and other Emirates, on being gifted with a beautiful place of prayer and worship. We are highly indebted to the local authorities and all those who have contributed towards the approval/construction and building up of this new church. May St. Anthony continuously whisper our prayers and petitions into the ears of Jesus to receive His blessings upon us and our families in abundance!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shantiedward, Mangalore / Dubai

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Congratulations to all our Roman Catholics at RAK. Finally your dreams come true. May The Almighty God Bless the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and the President of UAE.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • CYRIL MASCARENHAS, KIREM/MIRA ROAD/DXB-SHARJAH

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE TO THANKFUL TO DUBAI GVT.GIVING PERMISSION TO BUILT A HUGE CHURCH.GOD MAY BLESS THEM.SECONDLY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO HELPED TO BUILT THIS CHURCH.GOD MAY BLESS THEM ALL.ST.ANTHONY PRAY FOR ALL OF US..

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Umesh Salian, Uppala / Dubai

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Congrats to all those who believe in God.. keep the faith.. opportunity / history been created.. take in forward with true spirit of mankind

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • THERESA LOBO, Mukamar-Sharjah

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Thank and Praise the Lord at all times. Alleluia..!!
    The great News...New Church.
    Congratulations to the Catholic Community of Ras Al Khaimah. May God bless the Beautiful Church.

    May God The Almighty bless teh Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and the President of UAE.

    May God also bless all the people who worked very hard to make this church. God Bless one and All.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jawar D'Souza, M'lore/Doha

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Thank the Lord for all the good things he has done to us. May God bless the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah for his generosity. Let the Lord bless us all.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • OZY CRASTA, KANNADA KUDRU, DUBAI

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS ALL THOSE WHO HV TAKEN THE INTIATIVES TO BUILD THIS BEAUTIFUL CATHOLIC CHURCH.
    WE PRAY FOR THE RULER OF RAK, PRESIDENT OF UAE AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF UAE, BISHOPS,PRIESTS AND CITIZENS FOR THIER GENEROUS SUPPORT, MAY THE GOOD LORD SHOWER HIS BLESSINGS ON OF THEM AND ALSO ON EACH N EVERY ONE.
    WE WISH ' GOOD LUCK AND HAPPINESS TO CATHOLICS ' OF RAK.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • juliet mascarenhas, bejai mangalore

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Thanks and praise to you O lord for providing a lovely place of worship at RAK thro the support of the rulers.Send your blessings to all those who have worked for this and the ones who join in the worship at this chosen place.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lawrence Fernandes, Mangalore/Dubai

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Praise and Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ.
    Our hearty congratulations to the catholic community of Ras Al Khaimah.
    It's a victory to christian faith.
    May The Almighty God bless the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and the president of UAE.
    Lawrence, Frenny & Family, Dubai.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • A, M

    Mon, Jun 03 2013

    Praise the Lord!!!!! Alleluia!!!!!
    Great news. Congratulations to the Catholic Community of Ras Al Khaimah. What a beautiful church. May Our Lord continue to shower his blessings on all those who have made it possible (Church in Ras al Khaimah. God Bless. Arun.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: UAE: Consecration of new Ras Al Khaimah Church on Jun 14



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