What is the ecclesiastical role of St. Joseph's Cathedral?

The cathedral serves as the seat of the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.

What other Catholic churches exist in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi?

Other Catholic churches in the emirate include Saint Paul's in Musaffah, Saint Mary's in Al Ain, Saint Francis' in the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island, and Saint John the Baptist in Ruwais.

What facilities are located on the cathedral grounds?

The site contains the cathedral, the Bishop's House, St. Joseph's School, and St. Therese of The Child Jesus Church.

In what languages are masses held at the cathedral?

Masses are celebrated in several languages to accommodate a multinational expatriate congregation.

Who serves as the Apostolic Vicar at the cathedral?

Msgr. Paolo Martinelli serves as the Vicar of Southern Arabia.

Abu Dhabi · UAE

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Long-term expatriates anchor their weekly routines around packed multilingual liturgies here, trading quiet weekends for a crowded compound that doubles as their primary social network.

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Now in the citySt. Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabilocal time on site Around here3

Exchange rateAED 3.67per 1 $AED — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026

Within two hours

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About the place

Saint Joseph's Cathedral houses the episcopal seat of the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.

The congregation originated on land along the Corniche donated by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, where Father Barnabas Madii oversaw the initial sanctuary and priest housing. Following a sovereign directive to relocate the mission, the parish moved inland, gaining cathedral status as the seat of the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia. Bishop Giovanni Bernardo Gremoli and later successors led the jurisdiction.

Read on

The modern compound incorporates the Bishop's House, St Joseph's School, and St. Therese of The Child Jesus Church alongside administrative offices and catechetical rooms. Masses run in multiple languages to accommodate an entirely expatriate congregation, causing liturgies to reach full capacity on weekends. The site anchors regional Catholic administration alongside sister parishes in Musaffah, Al Ain, and Ruwais.

Associations

Apostolic Vicariate of Southern ArabiaThe cathedral compound functions as the official episcopal seat for the resident bishop.
Multilingual MassesLiturgy schedules accommodate international expatriates in several distinct tongues.
Capacity CrowdsServices regularly fill the sanctuary completely, creating heavy foot traffic.
St Joseph's SchoolThe parish compound integrates an affiliated educational institution on its grounds.

Facts

The cathedral serves as the episcopal seat of the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.
Ruler Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan donated the land for the original church.
Demolition of an older parish wing made room for St. Therese of The Child Jesus Church.
The parish compound houses the Bishop's House alongside an affiliated school.

Updated September 13, 2026Source: Wikipedia

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Abu Dhabi: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around3

Saint Joseph's Cathedral houses the episcopal seat of the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia.

Getting there and staying

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