A living and discreet church: Catholic faith resists Saudi Arabia despite persecution

In Saudi Arabia, a theocratic monarchy where Islam is the official religion and the only allowed, religious freedom does not exist. However, according to data handled by the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia of the North, In its vast territory – which covers more than two million square kilometers, a little more than Mexico – lives a considerable number of Catholics.

“The vast majority of non -Muslims have no religious freedom. Among them, there are more than one million Catholics,” said Mons. Aldo Berardi, who since 2023 is in charge of this ecclesiastical jurisdiction that also includes Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Throughout the apostolic territory, almost 35 million inhabitants live, of which more than two million are Catholics.

Unlike other countries in the region that have shown small signs of religious openness – such as Qatar, where the construction of a Churches complex in 2008 was allowed – Saudi Arabia remains one of the most restrictive states in the world in the field of religious freedom, as denounced organizations such as organizations such as Open doors o Help the Church in need (ACN).

In the country, governed with iron fist by the king, Salman Bin Abdulaziz to the Saud, the conversion to another religion is considered apostasy and punishes the death, just like any blasphemy against Islam.

“There are lives at stake”

“I can’t tell everything because there are lives at stake. But what I can point out is that they are not abandoned. We communicate, we organize, we enter when we can and, if not, we are present online. There is a living, discreet church, but deeply connected to the Universal Church and the Bishop”Mons. Berardi had caution.

He explained, without going into details, that the faithful are grouped clandestinely “according to language, rite, spirituality.” “There are charismatic, Marianos, Trinitarios. The families that come there look for Christian groups with whom to share and, among them, the news runs,” he said.

Catholics residing in Saudi Arabia are, above all, foreign workers who have to live their faith in the most absolute clandestinity.

As the bishop explained at a press conference organized by ISCOM (from the Italian IS: InstitutionalInstitutional; COM: CommunicationCommunication) these faithful – mostly Filipino and Indians – live scattered throughout the Saudi territory, without the possibility of officially gathering, and under constant surveillance.

Catholic families “Mass follow online”, He explained. However,” they do not do it with the sacraments as we know them, but develop prayer, formation, catechesis groups… ”.

In the midst of repression, the Internet has become a formidable instrument: “Now everything is a little easier with the Internet. It offers us certain possibilities such as those we do of training, courses that we can give, with retreats … Everything is done with absolute discretion, because everything is prohibited,” he said.

In addition, when there is possibility of presiding over “some celebration, there is, but always with protection.”

A scattered church and in the hands of the lay people

However, the Apostolic Vicar warned that the majority “have no access to anything”, since many live in rural areas or small cities. “There are Catholics throughout the country, because they hire nurses or technicians for hospitals and teachers for schools everywhere. There is a complete dispersion of Catholics,” he explains.

Mons. Berardi, a member of the Trinitarian religious, whose charisma involves precisely help the persecuted Christians, also explained that, despite the restrictions, the Catholic Church has managed to support the believers thanks to a network of communities directed by laity.

“It is a beautiful experience to see the laity responsible for communities, training, prayer or cult. Catechism do so, families. Everything is in their hands,” he said.

Wave of repression after the Iranian revolution of 1979

The repression was fueled, as explained by the Vicar, after the Islamic revolution of Iran in 1979. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sunita, tightened its internal religious control in an attempt to consolidate its legitimacy against the Shiite ideological challenge of Tehran. Ayatollah Ruhollah Jomeini, harshly criticized the Saudi regime for “for letting missionaries, priests, shepherds in,” he said.

As a consequence, “they were expelled them and totally prohibited the non -Muslim cult. Since then, nothing has been authorized,” he lamented.

The apostolic vicar stressed that having the presence of the clergy in the country could be beneficial even for the Saudi authorities.

“Our way of organizing is hierarchical, is well identified. It is not like in other communities where it is not known who commands, who speaks in the name of who. For Catholics, everything is more systematic. If we are allowed to be present with a clergy and an organization, it would be even safer for all,” he said.

This proposal, presented as a stability factor for the regime, has not fallen into a broken sack: “Sometimes they invite someone from Rome to their conferences on Islamic dialogue. But nothing concrete for the moment. We are subject to politics, to the spasms of the region.”

Warm contacts with the Holy See

In addition, although Saudi Arabia does not maintain diplomatic relations with the Holy See – unlike other countries in the region such as Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait or Emirates – Mons. Berardi confirmed that on some concrete occasion there have been certain informal contacts.

“Sometimes it has happened that a letter that has passed through the hands of the diplomats, between embassies, or from the Saudi embassy in Rome reaches the Holy See. It is seen that there is a desire for dialogue, but the Islamic tradition blocks. For them, Saudi Arabia is a great mosque. The steps are gradually taken,” he said.

Despite these circumstances, the vitality of the Gulf Catholic communities does not disappear. Mons. Berardi confirmed that some will participate in the jubilee of young people from July 28 to August 3: “We always send someone, even if it is one. For the jubilee of the priests we send to 10. Now there will be about 40 young people from the four countries.”

“Between visa, cost and job availability, it is not easy, but we take care of each other,” he said.

In any case, he made it clear that at this time they are not claiming the Saudi regime full religious freedom, “understood as being able to have a religion, to change religion or not have any”, but to have the freedom of worship guaranteed.

“We ask that they leave those who are not from their religion to celebrate their cult. We want to take care of the millions of Catholics who are there,” he said.

The youth of Saudi Arabia want a change

Asked about the prospects for the future, Mons. Berardi was cautious but hopeful: “The social opening in the country has turned very quickly. Although the old generation is still alive and there may be tensions. However, 60-70% of the country is less than 30 years old and this young generation wants change, because it sees what happens in the world and does not understand why your country cannot be open.”

Therefore, his hope is that there are advances in the short term: “They will allow it for a day. Not complete religious freedom, but freedom of worship. It is what we ask.”