Vatican to Open Church in Saudi Arabia?
March 18, 2008
In my recent story for CBN News about the Saudi Royal Family's funding of American universities, Saudi dissident Ali al-Ahmed said that the Saudis:
"...should allow American organizations and American funding of, let's say, the Martin Luther King Center or the Abraham Lincoln Center or a Susan B. Anthony Center, or allow Freedom House or Human Rights Watch or even CBN to have offices in Saudi Arabia."
Al-Ahmed's point was that while Christianity is illegal in Saudi Arabia, the Saudis have been permittted--even encouraged--to make inroads throughout the traditionally Christian West. According to the Daily Telegraph,the Saudis may finally be willing to reciprocate:
The Vatican is in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to open the first Catholic church in the kingdom.
Archbishop Mounged El-Hachem, the papal envoy to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates said talks had started a few weeks ago, in the wake of King Abdullah’s visit to Pope Benedict last November.
Currently, all Saudi citizens are required by law to be Muslim, and the Mutaween, or religious police, strictly prohibits the public practice of non-Muslim religions.
The last Christian priest was expelled from the kingdom in 1985.
However, the Vatican’s relationship with the Muslim world is improving rapidly, and Qatar opened its first Catholic church on Sunday.
Mgr El-Hachem said a church in Saudi Arabia would be an important sign of “reciprocity” between the faiths.
If this does happen, expect there to be significant strings attached.
STAKELBECK ON TERROR Main Page >>
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
