Following government directives, public Easter services in Dubai have
been cancelled since Good Friday. The regime's excuse is that tensions
in the Middle East are escalating.
Dubai has two Catholic
parishes - Saint Mary's and Saint Francis of Assisi in Jebel Ali. Both
have confirmed the closures on their websites and will remain closed
"until further notice".
Saint Mary’s Church is one of the largest
Catholic parishes in the world, with around 30,000 members, many of
whom are Filipino workers. On Good Friday, many Catholics who had not
been informed of the closure were seen praying outside on the pavement
instead.
Easter liturgies were only being streamed online.
Bishop
Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, acknowledged
worshippers' disappointment at missing Holy Week celebrations.
#newsAfvbsxvwah