Bishop Camillo Ballin's death mourned

Manama, Apr. 16 (BNA): The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence has mourned the death of his Board of Trustees member Bishop Camillo Ballin, the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia who passed away at the age of 76. It described the death as a big loss to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the centre, recalling the qualities of the deceased and his contribution to boosting religious tolerance and coexistence. It also pointed out Ballin’s continuous praise of the kingdom’s openness and good treatment of the Catholics. The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence paid homage to Bishop Camillo Ballin, underlining his prominent contribution to boosting relations between the Vatican and the Arabian Gulf countries. It also noted his remarkable activities in the Gulf Churches Fellowship (GCF) and his supervision of the Catholic Church presence. It pointed out his love for Bahrain which made him move his permanent residence to it in 2011. The centre also pointed out that Bishop Camillo Ballin oversaw the construction of the biggest cathedral in the region on a land plot of 8788 sqm which was granted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the Christians. It extended condolences to the family of the deceased as well as followers of Christianity and the Catholic Church, praying to Allah Almighty to bless the deceased with mercy and provide his family with patience and consolation.