Book documents eight decades of relations between Kuwait and the Holy See

Al-Hajjari: Catholic presence in Kuwait began in 1945; formal relations established in 1968

The book “Historical Relations between the Holy See and the State of Kuwait,” authored by writer and researcher Nasser Mohammed Al-Hajjari, was launched on Wednesday at the Vatican Embassy in Kuwait, attended by several heads of accredited diplomatic missions, along with various personalities and guests.

Papal Ambassador Eugene Nugent emphasized that relations between the Holy See and Kuwait are built on solid foundations of friendship, trust, mutual respect, and continuous dialogue. He noted that the book represents a significant contribution to documenting the trajectory of these relations, which have spanned decades.

Speaking at the book launch event, Nugent described the work as a “precedent,” noting that, to his knowledge, it is the first book dedicated entirely to tracing the history of relations between the Holy See and the State of Kuwait.

The Papal Ambassador pointed out that the Holy See has always attached great importance to its relations with Kuwait, explaining that these ties have been strengthened over the years through dialogue, personal meetings, cooperation, and goodwill, alongside a shared desire to promote peace, human fraternity, religious freedom, and mutual understanding.

He affirmed that diplomatic relations “are not built solely on agreements, official memoranda, and meetings,” but are fundamentally rooted in people, growing through encounters, dialogue, friendship initiatives, and, most importantly, the willingness to listen to and understand the other.

Nugent clarified that the book helps preserve the memory of this journey, stressing the importance of safeguarding historical memory because it “not only tells us where we came from, but can also help us understand the path we should take in the future.”

Describing the occasion as particularly significant for him, the Papal Ambassador explained that he is preparing to conclude his mission in Kuwait and leave the country. He added that the end of this chapter in his personal journey with Kuwait makes it appropriate to launch a book that reminds us that “the larger story continues.” He expressed hope that the book would contribute to deepening knowledge, preserving precious memories, encouraging further research, and, above all, strengthening bonds of friendship and understanding between the Holy See and the State of Kuwait.

For his part, Al-Hajjari affirmed that the work documents a long history of relations between Kuwait and the Holy See. He noted that formal relations between the two sides were established in 1968 and recognized by Kuwait in 1969, although the story of the Catholic Christian presence in the country dates back much earlier.

He stated that the presence of Catholic Christians in Kuwait dates back to 1945, when the first mass held in the country was documented. This took place in a tent in the Al-Maqwa area for employees of the Kuwait Oil Company.

He explained that the growing number of Catholic employees over the years created a need to provide a permanent place for religious worship. Consequently, the religious presence moved from the tent to a small building known as “Nissan Hat,” before eventually evolving into the church that stands today.

He pointed out that the site where the early beginnings of the Catholic presence took place is the same location where the current Church of the Holy Family stands, which holds an important place in the history of the Catholic presence in Kuwait.

Al-Hajjari clarified that the book documents the trajectory of relations and the Catholic presence in Kuwait during the period extending from 1945 to 2026, culminating in a visit by a senior official of the Holy See to Kuwait in January 2026, a milestone reflecting the development of relations between the two sides.

He pointed out that one of the most important aspects of the book is its reliance on documents and historical sources, particularly since many who witnessed the early stages of the Catholic presence in Kuwait are no longer alive, making recourse to archives, documents, and old newspapers essential in preparing the book.

He said that the methodology primarily relied on documents and journalistic archives, including what was published in newspapers during the 1960s and 1970s, along with documents and information obtained from various sources, with the aim of presenting a well-documented account of the stages of development of the Catholic presence and its relations with Kuwait.

He added that he also made sure to include in the book some documents and information that the public may not be widely familiar with, as well as documenting the role played by the faithful and entities affiliated with the Catholic Church in Kuwait, as well as the role of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia in serving the Catholic community.