Bishop Paul Hinder Honoured at Thanksgiving Mass in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, 27 October 2026 — The faithful of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia gathered in Abu Dhabi on 25 October for a Thanksgiving Mass honouring Bishop Emeritus Paul Hinder, recognising his years of dedicated service to the Catholic Church in the Gulf as he prepares to return to Switzerland.

Faithful of Southern Arabia express gratitude for the Swiss Capuchin bishop’s decades of pastoral service as he prepares to return home.

The celebration was marked by gratitude, affection and heartfelt farewells to the Swiss Capuchin bishop, whose pastoral ministry accompanied Catholic communities across the Arabian Peninsula through years of growth, change and challenges.

In his final remarks, Bishop Hinder offered a simple but profound reflection on his ministry: “All is grace.”

“It was a grace also for me to be Bishop here,” he said, recalling how he had witnessed the Lord at work in the Gulf, “also in the darkest hours”. He invited the faithful to accompany him on his continuing journey of faith, assuring them that he would remain spiritually united with the community.

His words captured the spirit of a ministry shaped by faith, perseverance and a deep commitment to the people entrusted to his care.

A ministry devoted to the Church in Arabia

Born in Bussnang, Switzerland, on 22 April 1942, Bishop Hinder joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in 1962 and was ordained a priest on 4 July 1967. He pursued further studies in canon law and theology before serving in priestly formation and leadership within the Capuchin Order.

His episcopal ministry in Arabia began in 2004, when he was ordained an auxiliary bishop. In March 2005, he became Apostolic Vicar of Arabia, overseeing Catholic communities across the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Following the division of the vicariate in 2011, he was appointed Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, responsible for the Church in the UAE, Oman and Yemen.

During his years of service, Bishop Hinder accompanied a diverse Catholic population, much of it comprising migrant workers from different countries and cultures. His ministry involved nurturing faith, supporting parish communities and helping the Church respond to the spiritual needs of people living far from their homelands.

He also served as Apostolic Administrator of Northern Arabia from 2020, during a period of transition for the Church in the region.

Pope Francis accepted his resignation in May 2022 and appointed Capuchin Bishop Paolo Martinelli as his successor in Southern Arabia.

A life remembered in a new autobiography

The Thanksgiving celebration also marked the launch of Bishop Hinder’s new autobiography, A Journey of Grace: The Life and Ministry of Bishop Paul Hinder. The publication offers an opportunity to reflect on his vocation, episcopal ministry and lasting contribution to Catholic life in the Gulf. This autobiography is published by ATC Publishers.

The farewell was more than a formal tribute to a retired bishop. It was an expression of appreciation for a pastor who walked alongside the faithful through changing circumstances and helped sustain their sense of belonging to the universal Church.

As Bishop Hinder prepares to return to Switzerland, his message of grace remains a fitting summary of his ministry. His assurance that he will continue to accompany the community spiritually offers comfort to those bidding him farewell.

For the faithful of Southern Arabia, his legacy will endure in the relationships he built, the faith he encouraged and the witness of service he leaves behind.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

Picture Courtesy : Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (the Catholic Church in UAE, Oman & Yemen)