The Vatican and Oman announce the establishment of diplomatic relations

The Vatican and the Sultanate of Oman announced this Thursday the establishment of full diplomatic relations based on “mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation” and the opening of their respective legations.

The establishment of the first diplomatic relations will mean the opening of an apostolic nunciature in the Persian Gulf country and its embassy to the Holy See, the joint statement read.

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The decision follows the “conviction that the establishment of diplomatic relations serve the common interest of the Holy See and Oman, guided by the principles of equal sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-interference”.

Omana monarchy located in the southeastern part of the Arabian peninsula and with a Muslim majority, is one of the eight countries with which the Vatican did not have diplomatic relations (it currently has them with 176 states and is approaching Chinawith whom he broke in 1951 after the rise of Mao Zedong).

To date, the territory of Oman is the responsibility of Apostolic Vicariate of South Arabiabased in Abu Dhabi, and has only four parishes and twelve priests.

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With this new bilateral channel, the Holy See hopes that the Catholic Church “through priests and nuns, I can continue to contribute to social welfare” of the Sultanate.

Francisco has shown a special interest in building bridges with the Arab world, with trips to that area such as the one he made last November to Bahrain.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.