Vicariate Overview
A single page bringing together the Vicariate story, parish communities in Kuwait, the historical timeline, the coat of arms, the 2011 re-organisation, and official contact details.
About the Vicariate
The Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia serves Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with Bahrain as its seat and a pastoral mission shaped by migrant Catholic life, multiple rites, and service across the region.
AVONA
Latin: Vicariatus Apostolicus Arabiæ Septentrionalis
Arabic: النيابة الرسولية في شمال الجزيرة العربية
The Vicariate serves a diverse Catholic community through the sacraments, catechesis, Catholic education, youth ministry, outreach, and interfaith coexistence.
It embraces the Latin Church and the significant presence of Eastern Catholic traditions, reflecting the universality of the Church.
Parishes of Kuwait
Four parish communities in Kuwait, each linked to its own parish page.
Chronology (Lineage): Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Arabia
A concise chronology of the Catholic jurisdiction in the region, preserving the historical lineage and the AVONA milestones.
Constantinople (Latin Patriarchate from now, de facto established by the Pope through Venice) – (Latin Empire of Constantinople) Turkey
Constantinople (AV, supplanting the Latin Patriarchal Vicars / suffragan Bishops) – (Ottoman Empire) Turkey
Aleppo (AV, detached from Constantinople AV) – (Ottoman Empire) Syria, Lebanon, etc.
Syria, Egypt, Arabia and Cyprus (AV, new name, previously Aleppo AV; see in Beirut) – (Ottoman Empire) Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Egypt, Sudan, Arabian Peninsula
Egypt and Arabia (AV, detached from the AV of Syria, Egypt, Arabia and Cyprus) – Egypt, Sudan, Abyssinia, Arabian Peninsula
Abyssinia [Lat.] (AP, detached from Vicariate Apostolic of Syria, Egypt, Arabia and Cyprus) – (Abyssinia) Ethiopia, Eritrea
Galla [Lat.] (AV, detached from AP Abyssinia) – Ethiopia
Arabia transferred from AV Egypt and Arabia to AV Galla.
Aden (AP, detached from AV Galla) – Arabian Peninsula
Aden (abolished, reattached to Galla) – (Abyssinia) Ethiopia
Aden (AV, and reerected, re-detached from AV Galla) – Arabian Peninsula
Arabia (AV, new name, previously Aden) – Arabian Peninsula
Kuwait (AP, detached from AV Arabia) “Prefecture Apostolic of Kuwait” – Kuwait
Kuwait (AV) “Vicariate Apostolic of Kuwait” – Kuwait
Northern Arabia (AV, new name, previously Kuwait) “Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia” – Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
ABBREVIATIONS: AP : Apostolic Prefecture · AV : Apostolic Vicariate · Lat : Latin Jurisdiction
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: We are grateful to Rev. Fr. Claes Tande & team for granting us the permission to publish the chronology information on our site.
Source of Information: http://www.katolsk.no/utenriks/kronologi/kuwait.htm
Coat of Arms
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Episcopal cross and galero
The episcopal insignia identify the bishop and his pastoral office.
Mary and the motto
The star and motto reflect Marian devotion and the Resurrection: “Resurrexit, sicut dixit.”
Trinitarian and chain symbolism
The broken chain and Trinitarian cross point to redemption, mission, and the bishop’s religious family.
Re-Organisation of the Vicariates of the Arabian Peninsula
The official restructuring of the two Vicariates, effective 31 May 2011.
By decree of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Vicariate of Kuwait and the Vicariate of Arabia (the two Vicariates of the Arabian Peninsula) underwent a reorganization of territories and a change in title, effective May 31, 2011.
The Vicariate of Kuwait is now known as “The Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia,” encompassing the territories of Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. As a result, His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCJ, became the first Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia.
The Vicariate of Arabia is now called “The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia,” which includes the territories of the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia was under the pastoral care of His Lordship Bishop Paul Hinder, OFM Cap., who assumed the title of “Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.” On May 1 2022, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Paul Hinder and appointed Msgr. Paolo Martinelli OFM Cap. as the new Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.
This reorganization of the two ecclesiastical territories addresses the previous unequal distribution of territories between the Vicariates and reflects the fact that both Vicariates have now been entrusted to the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap.).
After almost 58 years, the two Vicariates of the Arabian Peninsula have been restructured. The faithful are encouraged to keep this significant event in their prayers, seeking the Lord’s blessing on both Vicariates. May Our Lady of Arabia continue to intercede for us during this special time.
Contact the Vicariate
Bishop’s House: P.O. Box 25362, Road 4603, House 137 / 125, Block 946, Awali, Bahrain
Email: cur.bis.sec@avona.org