2 Million Christians Trapped as Every Church in the Arabian Gulf Shuts Down

All Church Activities Halted Across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia After Gulf Explosions

Bishop Aldo Berardi, the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, has suspended all church activities across the vicariate following a wave of explosions that rocked Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar on February 28, 2026.

The explosions came after the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles targeting U.S. military bases and allied nations across the Persian Gulf.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia encompasses Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, serving an estimated 2.2 million Catholics, most of them migrant workers from the Philippines, India, South America, Africa, Lebanon, and Europe.

At the moment, we do not know much. We have suspended all activities. I have invited the priests of the Vicariate to gather and celebrate Mass for peace this afternoon at 7 p.m. local time.

Bishop Berardi made the statement to the Fides News Agency as the crisis unfolded.

In a written letter addressed to the faithful, the Bishop urged communities to remain calm and united in prayer.

I ask all the faithful of the Vicariate to remain calm, united in prayer, and attentive to everyone's safety. Please carefully follow the instructions of civil authorities and adopt all necessary precautions in your homes, workplaces and parishes.

He also instructed parish priests and rectors to take appropriate measures and make prudent decisions to ensure the safety of those entrusted to their pastoral care, with particular concern for vulnerable populations.

In Qatar, Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Doha announced it would remain closed "until further notice," citing recent events and advisories from the government ministry. The church serves approximately 200,000 Catholics in Qatar.

Iranian ballistic missiles reportedly targeted Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. Multiple Gulf states temporarily closed their airspace.

Christians in the Gulf Brace for Uncertainty as Middle East Conflict Escalates

Benedictine Father Nikodemus Schnabel sheltered approximately 60 pilgrims at Tabgha monastery in Israel during the attacks, describing his community's mission as creating "islands of hope in an ocean of suffering."

The UN Security Council convened an emergency session as the crisis deepened, with Iran's Red Crescent reporting over 200 killed and 700 wounded across Iran. Iranian media claimed at least 108 students were killed at a school in Minab.

The Crusader's Opinion

Over two million Christians scattered across the Arabian Gulf just had every church door slammed shut because the powers of this world decided to play God with other people's lives. These believers did nothing. They went to work. They prayed. They sent money home to their families. And now they are sheltering in place, uncertain whether the next missile will land on their parish or their apartment block.

Let us be brutally honest: Christians in the Gulf have always existed at the mercy of governments that barely tolerate their presence. They worship behind walls, out of sight, careful not to offend. And still, when war comes, they are the most exposed and the least protected. No embassy is coming for Filipino nurses and Indian construction workers.

Bishop Berardi told his people to pray for peace. That is the right call. But the rest of Christendom must do more than pray. We must demand that our governments account for the Christians caught in the crossfire of wars they chose to start.

Take Action

• Pray specifically for Bishop Aldo Berardi and the 2.2 million Catholics in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia who are sheltering in place right now.
• Donate to The Shepherd's Shield to support persecuted Christians in conflict zones across the Middle East.
• Support Open Doors USA which provides emergency relief and spiritual support to Christians in the Gulf region.
• Contact your elected representatives and ask them what protections are in place for Christian migrant workers caught in the Gulf conflict. U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224 3121.
• Share this story with your church community and ask your pastor to include the Christians of Northern Arabia in this week's prayers.