Roman Catholicism in United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the component of the global Roman Catholic Church, which is under the holy guidance of the Curia and Pope in Rome. United Arab Emirates is mainly an Islamic society. About 10% of the foreign population residing at United Arab Emirates belongs to Christian community.
In the United Arab Emirates, there are more than 250,000 foreign workers, who belong to the group of Roman Catholics. The people belonging to the Roman Catholicism of United Arab Emirates are mostly Indians, Filipinos, Lebanese, Americans, and Europeans. The Vicar Apostolic Bishop Paul Hinder is stationed in Abu Dhabi as the United Arab Emirates is a part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia.
Some of the Roman Catholic churches, which are located in various parts in United Arab Emirates, are:
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Abu Dhabi
St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Sharjah
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Jebel Ali
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Al Ain
Fujairah Sub Centers in Kalba, Khorfakkan and Dibba
Our Lady of Perpertual Help Catholic Church, Fujairah
The United Arab Emirates Constitution allows liberty of religion. The religious autonomy in United Arab Emirates was achievable due to the friendly association among the diverse religions in the society of UAE. The Christians of United Arab Emirates are very much active in the society and also in doing social service. In the year 1960, the Christian missionaries had opened a maternity hospital in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The various Christian religious materials and the Bible are distributed by an International Bible Society representative in Al –Ain to the groups of the country belonging to the religion. In the United Arab Emirates, there are 24 Churches. Emirates of Abu Dhabi have also donated land for cemeteries of the Christians. The government has also provided many facilities for the Christian religious group.
