First Catholic Church Opens in Qatar

Spencer Collins · #1 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 08:19 PM

First Catholic Church Opens in Qatar, Sparking Fear of Backlash Against Christians

FOX NEWS

DOHA, Qatar — Qatar's first Christian church has no cross, no bell and no steeple.

And when 5,000 faithful flock to Our Lady of the Rosary to celebrate its historic consecration this weekend, they pray no one will notice.

Father Tom Veneracion, the parish priest, is worried about a backlash.

"The idea is to be discreet because we don't want to inflame any sensitivities," he says. "There isn't even a signboard outside the church. No signs at all."

Qatar's fledgling Catholic community considers its sprawling $15 million saucer-shaped facility a victory. A 15-minute drive into barren desert, it has been built with the blessing of the nation's emir.

But some people in this Muslim country have branded it an offense; one prominent politician has called for a national referendum to determine its fate.

And as the church lookd forward to its first Easter service, the controversy is getting considerable attention among this gas-rich country's press.

"The cross should not be raised in the sky of Qatar, nor should bells toll in Doha," wrote Lahdan bin Issa al-Muhanada, a leading columnist in Doha's Al-Arab newspaper.

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FOXNews.com - First Catholic Church Opens in Qatar, Sparking Fear of Backlash Against Christians

Apparently these 7th century adherents are not yet ready for religious diversity.

saltwn · #2 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 10:54 PM

Seeing where it is located, this is a bold step indeed. I wish them well.

Spencer Collins · #3 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

Seeing where it is located, this is a bold step indeed. I wish them well.

It is indeed a bold step,I hope the church is as well received as the Muslims in Detroit. They have not only been accepted in the community,they are thriving there!

cnredd · #4 (**permalink**) 03-15-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

Seeing where it is located, this is a bold step indeed. I wish them well.

I wish them well, too, but I see this the same as a former priest named Karol worshiping discreetly in the 50s under the constant threat of prison by communism. (You may know him as Pope JPII)...

saltwn · #5 (**permalink**) 03-15-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnredd

I wish them well, too, but I see this the same as a former priest named Karol worshiping discreetly in the 50s under the constant threat of prison by communism. (You may know him as Pope JPII)...

Did you ever read or see the movie (Anthony Quinn) "Shoes of the Fisherman"?

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