Kuwait–Holy See ties: Eight decades of history, friendship and dialogue
Book chronicles more than 80 years of Kuwait–Holy See relations
- Relations between the Holy See and Kuwait are founded on friendship, trust, mutual respect and continued communication; book devoted entirely to tracing the history of relations between the Holy See and Kuwait; strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between the Holy See and Kuwait — Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait H.E. Eugene Nugent
- Relations documented in the book are not merely formal diplomatic ties, but a story spanning decades and contributing to an important part of Kuwait’s historical and social fabric — Author and Researcher Nasser Mohammed Al-Hajeri
A new book documenting more than eight decades of relations between Kuwait and the Holy See was launched Wednesday at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kuwait, bringing together a large number of heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the country, along with officials, guests and other prominent figures.
Titled Historical Relations Between the Holy See and the State of Kuwait, the book was written by researcher Nasser Mohammed Al-Hajeri, tracing the development of the relationship from the beginnings of the Catholic presence in Kuwait in 1945 through 2026.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait H.E. Eugene Nugent described the relations between the Holy See and Kuwait as being founded on friendship, trust, mutual respect and continued communication. He said the book represents an important contribution to documenting a relationship that has developed over decades.
Speaking at the launch, the Apostolic Nuncio described the publication as a “first,” saying that, to his knowledge, it is the first book devoted entirely to tracing the history of relations between the Holy See and Kuwait. He congratulated Al-Hajeri on undertaking what he described as an important research project.
Nugent said the book fills an important gap by bringing together the story of a relationship that has evolved over many years. He stressed that the relationship goes beyond formal diplomatic ties and is based on friendship, trust, mutual respect and continuous communication.
Dialogue and understanding at the heart of ties
Nugent said the Holy See has long attached importance to its relationship with Kuwait, which has been strengthened over the years through dialogue, personal meetings, cooperation, goodwill and a shared desire to promote peace, human fraternity, religious freedom and mutual understanding.
He noted that diplomatic relations are not built solely on agreements, official memoranda and meetings, but fundamentally on people. They grow through encounters, dialogue and initiatives based on friendship, as well as a willingness to listen to and understand the other side.
The book, he said, helps preserve the memory of this journey. Preserving historical memory is important not only because it tells people where they came from, but also because it can help them understand the path they should follow in the future.
Nugent praised Al-Hajeri’s work and expressed hope that the book would not mark the end of his research, but rather the beginning of further studies. He said there remained much to explore, many stories to recover and numerous aspects of the relationship worthy of study and documentation.
Nugent: ‘The bigger story continues’
Nugent said the occasion was particularly significant for him as he prepares to conclude his mission in Kuwait and leave the country. He noted that he was especially pleased that one of the final events hosted at the Apostolic Nunciature during his tenure celebrated the friendship between the Holy See and Kuwait.
He said the end of a chapter in his personal journey with Kuwait made it fitting to launch a book reminding everyone that “the bigger story continues.” He expressed hope that the publication will deepen knowledge, preserve valuable memories, encourage further research and, most importantly, strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between the Holy See and Kuwait.
Nugent congratulated Al-Hajeri on the achievement and thanked him for his research efforts, commitment and contribution to documenting an important part of the shared history between the two sides.
He also thanked those attending the event, saying the launch was not simply a celebration of a new publication, but also a celebration of an “established friendship” between the Holy See and Kuwait. He concluded by expressing hope that the friendship would continue to flourish and that relations between the Holy See and Kuwait would grow stronger in the years ahead.
Al-Hajeri traces Catholic presence to 1945
Al-Hajeri said the book documents the long history of relations between Kuwait and the Holy See. He noted that formal relations were established in 1968 and officially recognized by Kuwait in 1969, while the history of the Catholic Christian presence in Kuwait dates back much further.
According to Al-Hajeri, the presence of Catholic Christians in Kuwait dates to 1945, when the first documented Mass in the country was held in a tent in the Maqwa area for employees of the Kuwait Oil Company.
As the number of Catholic employees increased over the years, the need arose for a permanent place of worship. The religious presence subsequently moved from the tent to a small building known as “Nissan Hut” before eventually developing into the church that exists today.
Al-Hajeri noted that the site associated with the early beginnings of the Catholic presence is the same location where the Holy Family Church now stands, giving it an important place in the history of Catholicism in Kuwait.
1945–2026: Eight decades documented
Al-Hajeri said the book covers the history of the Catholic presence and relations between Kuwait and the Holy See from 1945 to 2026, including the visit to Kuwait in January 2026 by a senior official of the Holy See, which represented a further milestone in the development of relations.
He said one of the book’s key features is its reliance on historical documents and sources. Since many people who witnessed the early years of the Catholic presence are no longer alive, archival material, historical documents and old newspaper reports became essential sources for the research.
The research relied primarily on documents and press archives, including newspaper reports from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as documents and information obtained from various sources. The aim was to provide a documented account of the development of the Catholic presence and its relations with Kuwait.
Al-Hajeri also sought to include documents and information that may not be widely known to the public, while documenting the role of Catholic parishes and institutions in Kuwait and the work of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia in serving the Catholic community.
Key milestones in Kuwait–Holy See relations
Al-Hajeri highlighted several important milestones in the relationship between Kuwait and the Holy See. Formal relations were established in 1968 and officially recognized by Kuwait in 1969.
Another significant milestone came on February 8, 2000, with the opening of the Holy See’s first diplomatic mission in Kuwait. Relations subsequently developed through the appointment of the Holy See’s first diplomatic representative, followed by the appointment of ambassadors and papal representatives and the strengthening of communication channels between the two sides.
Al-Hajeri said this history reflects the development of Kuwait’s relations with the Holy See and expressed hope that the relationship would continue to develop and see greater cooperation in the years ahead.
Al-Hajeri: Book is the result of collective efforts
Al-Hajeri thanked those who attended the launch and everyone who contributed to completing the book. He said the responsibility involved in preparing the work was considerable, particularly because the book does not focus on a single event or period, but documents a history spanning decades.
He also thanked his parents, who were in Italy and unable to attend the event because they were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. He expressed his gratitude for their support and for what they had provided him over the years.
Al-Hajeri also thanked his colleagues, friends and work partners for their support, stressing that the completion of the book was the result of collective efforts and the backing of people who believed in the importance of documenting this chapter of Kuwait’s history.
Praise for Nugent’s support for young people
Al-Hajeri also highlighted Nugent’s support for young people and future generations, saying the papal representative had supported them for years and had shown interest in and encouragement for youth initiatives.
He said his first meeting with Nugent took place on June 12, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their meetings, discussions and joint activities continued thereafter, extending beyond a single location to the desert, sea and other places as part of their communication and cooperation.
Addressing Nugent, Al-Hajeri said he would be greatly missed, adding that Kuwait would remain a second home for him.
Al-Hajeri concluded by thanking the Apostolic Nuncio for his support and generosity over the years, emphasizing that the relations documented in the book are not merely formal diplomatic ties, but a story spanning decades and contributing to an important part of Kuwait’s historical and social fabric.
