Bishop Paul Martinelli appointed Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia in Abu Dhabi

Bishop Martinelli succeeds Bishop Paul Hind, 80, who has served in churches in southern Arabia — the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen — for more than 18 years.

Bishop Martinelli, 64, was formerly the auxiliary bishop of Milan. He is a member of the Franciscan Capuchin Order and holds a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He has also taught at the Pontifical Gregorian Universities in Rome and the Pontifical Universities Pontifical Antonio in Rome, and has written and edited several books and articles on spiritual life.

In his inaugural address, Bishop Martinelli said he was surprised, but also delighted, at his appointment as a priest in southern Arabia.

“The rulers of these countries, the esteemed authorities, religious leaders and dear brothers and sisters living in the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman and Yemen, as-salamu alaykum! May you all be safe!” he greeted.

“After eight years as an auxiliary bishop in the diocese of Milan, the Lord has called me to be a shepherd in this region, which is different from my home country, but which I find fascinating on many levels,” said Bishop Martinelli.

He went on to thank his predecessor at the church.

“I thank Bishop Paul Hinder OFM Cap for his wholehearted welcome. I take this opportunity to express my deep admiration for his excellent work and wise advice during his 18 years as Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia. I hope and will try Following his example, as I put myself completely under the control of the people of God in this land,” said Bishop Martinelli.

The newly appointed man also praised the UAE’s inclusiveness in his first address to the faithful.

“I am deeply grateful for this land of many traditions, a crossroads where people from different countries meet, interact and collaborate on a daily basis. I advocate for the rulers, authorities and dignitaries of these countries a respectful coexistence and inclusiveness The spirit is full of reverence. St. Paul in his writings asks us to pray for our rulers, and I pray that the rulers of these nations will receive wisdom from God to lead the nation and its people on the path of peace and prosperity. God calls all images Brothers and sisters live together, even if they belong to different cultures, ethnicities and religions,” said Bishop Martinelli.

He referred to the Document of Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb in Abu Dhabi in February 2019.

At the very beginning of my tenure as shepherd of the vicar, I expressed a strong desire to promote interreligious dialogue and promote universal brotherhood in the spirit of the document of human fraternity signed by the Pope, Pope Francis and Sheikh February 2019 On the 4th, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. In the introduction to this decisive document we read: “Faith leads believers to see in each other brothers and sisters who need support and love”. Therefore, different religions can greatly contribute to societies around the world by promoting peace and love,” he said.

“This important document, signed here in Abu Dhabi, holds us all accountable to its message of peace, as it invites all religions to work together for the common good and to promote goodwill as everyone is loved by God. All of us are indeed called upon to build a more fraternal world,” added Bishop Martinelli.

The church said in a statement that Bishop Martinelli’s episcopal motto is “Gloria Dei vivens homo” – Latin for “The glory of God is fully alive”, taken from the writings of Saint Irenaeus of Lyon.