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Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National
The streets outside Our Lady of Arabia cathedral are festooned with the Bahraini and Papal flags. John Dennehy / The National
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The cathedral can seat more then 2,000 worshippers. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Inside the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
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Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, south of the Bahraini capital, Manama. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Photographs show the construction of the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
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Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, granted the 9,000 square metre plot of land eight years ago. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
The church resembles a tent in which the Prophet Moses met his people, as described in the Old Testament. John Dennehy / The National
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A band gets ready for the service. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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A choir sings at the opening of the cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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Light floods the cathedral from different angles. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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Bahrain has long allowed faiths other than Islam the freedom to worship in peace. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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Inside the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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The cathedral is located close to an oil field. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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The grey walls are made with pietra serena stone that is only produced in Florence. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple
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Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, centre, presents a replica of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral to Sheikh Abdullah. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National
The streets outside Our Lady of Arabia cathedral are festooned with the Bahraini and Papal flags. John Dennehy / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DP2ETHIFX2BCH53TSWMJQWBELI.jpg?smart=true&auth=2311900067374108d72a658a76bcff654e88cce0a5340b377e9aa41518066d6f&width=400&height=225)
The cathedral can seat more then 2,000 worshippers. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Inside the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
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Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, south of the Bahraini capital, Manama. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Photographs show the construction of the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F4FHSHMSPCS5AKEUVALJIHA5MA.jpg?smart=true&auth=7d6fb77c23c55f80ee42bd7416b14f87592434a98329593b6f14a306132219bd&width=400&height=225)
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, granted the 9,000 square metre plot of land eight years ago. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
The church resembles a tent in which the Prophet Moses met his people, as described in the Old Testament. John Dennehy / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PTMDKCE2CL53Z5ZU66EMT4ZV2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=9efe23f46a8ffedf69e0e7003088d7aff4cbd0c4bc17ac7e334ddcef447631bf&width=400&height=225)
A band gets ready for the service. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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A choir sings at the opening of the cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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Light floods the cathedral from different angles. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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Bahrain has long allowed faiths other than Islam the freedom to worship in peace. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NBM34WHN5P2ISGGMFFLFBS33EE.jpg?smart=true&auth=37a9b9ce82c7ab42062f36301897a5f9681cd3b58f2a258741e8296b5511dc7f&width=400&height=225)
Inside the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
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The cathedral is located close to an oil field. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3VLEE5IZGVCEFPLY35WNRUVPTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=bcdc34e030f9715e096ceb33e871a04bfbf4cbf9665f8a5e59963e01ca45c39c&width=400&height=225)
The grey walls are made with pietra serena stone that is only produced in Florence. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZRCQDH4JGIYOQPTWHIPBYGQN44.jpg?smart=true&auth=4b422ee74daab4f062f2bed5b322338f57a761ab11bb527cd5e4d6dd1c97ff6d&width=400&height=225)
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, centre, presents a replica of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral to Sheikh Abdullah. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L7XWSNSCL5AU3CDO5G3OGYPFQE.jpg?smart=true&auth=49b2b249e0c3916e6275113f4b18e319d8ae8e3f49aaa49d9ebf70e8d092e9b1&width=400&height=225)
Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National
Gulf's largest Roman Catholic cathedral opens in Bahrain
The modernist church, with an octagonal dome, is set to become a focal point for the country's 80,000 Catholics
![John Dennehy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F6672bef4-f371-4546-90ba-13ad5ded9082.png?smart=true&auth=f1d711e1371a4276112f01656e091484625201f90342530a0b42086db97abdf2&width=70&height=70)
John Dennehy
10 December, 2021
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