Weekday worship at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Metha will move entirely online, with the parish confirming that its 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM Monday-to-Friday Masses will be live streamed through its official YouTube channel for as long as the closure remains in effect.
The announcement, issued April 6, extends the church’s digital pivot beyond the Holy Week period. St. Mary’s had already moved its Good Friday services online after shutting its doors to all visitors on April 3, following directives from government regulatory authorities citing public safety.
Along with the streaming update, church leadership urged parishioners to avoid congregating outside the premises — even for prayer — while the suspension is ongoing.
“Please be informed that the 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM weekday Masses (Monday to Friday) will be live streamed via our Church YouTube channel until our Church reopens,” the parish announced. “We also kindly request that all parishioners refrain from gathering outside the Church to pray during this time. We assure you of our prayers for your well-being. Kindly continue to stay safe and faithfully adhere to the safety precautions advised by the Government Authorities.”
The closure is tied to heightened regional security conditions, with the UAE facing a series of drone and missile threats in recent weeks. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jebel Ali, the emirate’s other major Catholic parish, also shut down on April 3 — though it offered no livestream option, cancelling all services outright.
Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, acknowledged the weight of the timing. “It is certainly painful not to be able to take part in person in the beautiful and rich celebrations of the Holy Week,” he said, asking the faithful to follow official guidance and observe services through available digital channels. “We hope to return soon to celebrating together.”
No reopening date has been announced by either parish or by the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which oversees Catholic churches across the UAE, Oman, and Yemen.
