Catholics in UAE warned that many will miss out on tickets to see Pope’s Mass
▶ Abu Dhabi stadium has capacity of 120,000 for historic event, but one million may want to go
The Roman Catholic community has been urged not to compete for tickets to see Pope Francis’s historic Mass in person.
The Catholic Church has released details of how tickets will be distributed for the event, which will be held at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on February 5.
While 120,000 people will crowd into the venue, Paul Hinder, the Catholic Bishop for southern Arabia, said many more would not be able to attend.
There are one million Catholics in the UAE, but tickets are being sent to parishes throughout the region.
Most places will be reserved for Catholics but there is also expected to be a large government delegation at the Mass, and Muslim religious leaders will also be in attendance. The visit is part of a drive to promote tolerance between people of different faiths.
Bishop Hinder said that since the visit was announced last month, church leaders had been working behind the scenes to devise a system that would distribute tickets “in the most just way” in light of the limited capacity.
He called on the faithful to “avoid every kind of competition and self-promotion” ahead of the visit.
Those unable to attend will be able to watch the Mass on live stream, which will also be beamed back to churches so worshippers can see it together.
“Although it will not be possible to satisfy all the wishes given the short time of the papal visit, we have tried to do our best given the limits of time and space,” Bishop Hinder said in an open letter to Catholics.
“People here in the country and in the Middle East, and around the world, will follow the event. Let us make it a moment of spiritual witness of our deep faith and our love for and within the Catholic Church, but also of our spirit of peace and understanding towards those who are of other faiths.
“Therefore, it is crucial that we avoid every kind of competition and self-promotion. As a Catholic migrant Church in a Muslim country, we are called to give witness to unity, respect and mutual love, and at the same time show humility.”
Several committees have been set up to plan for the Pope’s visit to the UAE. The ticket update and letter were issued in response to a deluge of enquiries about the visit, which will take place between February 3 and February 5.
Free tickets are being distributed to parishes based on their estimated size, and will be given out “with the aim to ensure as much a broad representation as possible”.
Most will be sent to parishes in southern Arabian countries, which include the UAE, Oman and Yemen. A smaller number will go to northern Arabian nations, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
A “very limited” number of tickets will be available to people outside the GCC. Details of how they will be distributed will be made available later.
The Church has also warned Catholics to be on guard against people offering tickets for sale or those sold through unofficial channels. Tickets are expected to reach parishes about January 20.
“As the capacity of the stadium [inside and outside] is limited, we have had to work out a system to distribute the tickets in the most just way,” Bishop Hinder said.
“First of all, the faithful of our vicariate have priority. In line with this, we decided to choose a system of registration per parish, each of which will get a quota of seats according to the presumed size of the parish.
“Parishes will receive detailed information from the respective committee with the instructions on how to proceed. The parish priests will let you know through the communication channels of each parish how the registration will work during the coming days.
“It is obvious that many will not get the opportunity to join the papal mass in Abu Dhabi.
“Preparations are being made so that the whole liturgy can be followed via the website on livestream. You will be able to be part of the celebration not only on your computer but in each parish church.”
Preparations are being made so that the whole liturgy can be followed via the website on live stream PAUL HINDER Catholic Bishop for southern Arabia