BAHRAIN, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN

The State of Bahrain—in Arabic, Al Bahrayn or "the two seas"—is an independent emirate comprising the islands of Al-Bahrain, Al-Muḥarraq, Sitra and several smaller islands lying about 13 miles east of Saudi Arabia, in the Persian Gulf, although sovereignty over the Hawar island group remained in dispute between Qatar and Bahrain in 2000. Bahrain's low, flat desert plains rise to a central ridge, its climate arid with mild winters, and hot, humid summers. Natural resources include some oil reserves, while fishing, shrimping and the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural crops support the regional economy.

In ancient times the main island, then called Tylos and later Awâl, was renowned for its pearls; Al-Muḥarraq was then called Arados. Prior to the discovery of oil in the early 20th century, pearls were the region's primary export. Oil, which was discovered in 1932, became the source of a continuously progressing modernization of the islands. The large islands, as well as the northern island of Al-Muḥarraq are home to most of the region's population, over 40 percent of whom are foreigners working in the country. Largely dependant upon petroleum refining, the region has also developed itself into a large-scale international banking center. The family ruling Bahrain in 2000 had been in power since 1782.

History. The region was discovered by Portuguese explorers in 1521 and occupied by them until the arrival of Arabs from Persia in 1602. While Catholic priests entered the region with the Portuguese, any influence they had was entirely eradicated when the islands came under Muslim rule. In 1782 a Kuwaiti family took control, supported in its administration by the British from 1820 to 1971. As Great Britain prepared to disengage from the region, Bahrain developed a council government in 1970, four decades after the discovery of oil had boosted its economy. The country remained almost wholly Muslim, and Islam was the state religion, although freedom of religion is protected within certain limits. Catholics living in the region are foreign workers, most from the Philippines, and by the year 2000 comprised a single parish, led by three priests and aided by fewer than 100 religious. Political interference by Church leaders is not tolerated, nor is proselytization. However, Bahrain Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Essa al-Khalifa met with Pope John Paul II in advance of his government's establishment of formal diplomatic relations with the Vatican in January of 2000.

Bibliography: Bilan du Monde. Encyclopédie Catholique du Monde Chrétien, 2 v. (Tournai 1964) 2: 119–120.

[a. jamme/eds.]