SW News: In a first of its kind, the Holy See has decided to establish diplomatic ties with the Sultanate of Oman, an Islamic country in the Arabian Peninsula. The Vatican announced this development on Feb. 23. It will now set up a Nunciature in the country to promote mutual understanding and strengthen friendship and cooperation between both countries.

The Holy See said it is convinced that diplomatic ties will serve the common interest of the Vatican and the Sultanate. While the Vatican establishes a Nunciature, Oman will set up an Embassy in Rome. The establishment of diplomatic ties will also give a boost to the local Church in the Sultanate where almost all believers consist of expatriate workers from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Philippines and other European, Latin American and African countries.

Catholics in this Islamic country are spread across four parishes and they are served by 12 priests, mostly Capuchins from India and the Philippines. They belong to the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which is based in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the neighboring United Arab Emirates. There are also Orthodox Christians belonging to the Coptic and Indian Orthodox Churches in the country.

A former British protectorate ruled by the Al Busaidi dynasty, the nation gained independence in 1971 when Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said ascended the throne and ushered in modernization. Following his demise in January 2020, Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said came to power.

The nation has a bicameral legislature which provides for a chamber elected by the masses, a Majlis Al Shura advisory council comprising members elected for a four-year tenure, and the state council made up of members who are appointed by the ruler.

Islam is the religion of the state and jurisprudence is based on Sharia law. But the country allows the free practice of other faiths, including Christianity, provided there is no proselytization and other activities that go against the sensibilities of Muslims.

The Sultanate is divided into 11 governorates which contain 61 wilayats or provinces. A peace-loving nation, Oman has a population of four and a half million out of which there is a sizable number of expatriate workers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and the Middle East.