Christian World | St. Peter and Paul Church in Muscat, Oman's first Catholic church, opened a golden jubilee year with a Mass led by Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Vatican News says

ACW | November 7, 2026 — St. Peter and Paul Church in Muscat, Oman's first Catholic church, opened a year marking 50 years since its consecration with a Mass on Friday, Nov. 6, Vatican News reported.

Bishop Paolo Martinelli, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, presided at the celebration in Muscat's Ruwi district. "Jesus Christ has transformed us from a people of migrants into a people of missionaries," he said.

The jubilee runs until Nov. 5, 2027, under the theme "Built on the Rock, Driven by the Spirit." About 10,000 people, mostly from India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, worship regularly at the parish, served by four priests, according to Vatican News.

Background: Sultan Qaboos granted permission to build the church, which was consecrated on Nov. 4, 1977, Vatican News said. Before that, Capuchin priests based in Bahrain visited Muscat every other month.

Why it matters: Oman's Catholic community has grown from about 3,500 when the church was consecrated to some 100,000 today, according to Vatican News, and now also has churches in Ghala, Sohar and Salalah.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Source: Vatican News — Golden Jubilee opens at Oman's first Catholic church

Photo: Vatican News — golden jubilee celebration at St. Peter and Paul Church, Muscat