Bishop Camillo Ballin, the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia passed away on Sunday, April 12 at 10 pm at the age of 76.
I had invited me for a retreat for the Vicariate and all the priests were present for the retreat including him and the Custos of Gulf were present.....He is introducing me to the priests before the retreat.....a great friend and confidant of me.....I got to know him 2008 while on a visit to Gulf and then onwards we worked together ....he would always email me regarding anything that would happen in his vicariate regarding the capuchin....I, in my capacity as a General councillor extended all the help and support.....it was a pleasure to work with him.
Bishop Ballin was born in Fontavia, Italy on June 24, 1944. He was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop, writer, missionary and educator.
He was ordained Priest of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus on March 30, 1969, at Castelletto Sul Garda, Verona.Bishop was a man of word and commitment.....he called a sped a sped....did not mince words....what he spoke he meant it with great concern...he would not tolerate any kind of nonsense and infidelity and ingenuity.....he hated lie and liars......he was man of quick action......a Bishop with golden words....
He mastered Arabic which a great advantage for the Church and for him....he went about building trust and dialogue with Muslim brothers in the gulf....he would fluently and impeccably speak Arabic ..As shepherd he took great care of his priests and faithful.....always wore a smile.....ever ready to give a listening year.....
Whenever I spoke to him over the phone he always gave me sufficient time....he would share and even consulted regarding some issues.....he made a lasting impact and impressing on me when we all met in Rasal Khyiama for a joint meeting of Bishops, General Minister and me, all the CCMSI Provincials and other provincials who are collaborating with Gulf Vicariates.....He was firm and strict regarding certain issues....he was loud and clear regarding certain policies.....he did this for the good of the Church....
He wanted his priests and faithful to be following and imitating Jesus at any cost and thus living and giving witness to our Musli Brothers and sisters....he had a lot of confidence in his priests who collaborated with him commitment.
He had a great dream to Built the Cathedral in Bahrain and he obtained land from the Government....began collecting funds....people generously began to donate for a dream Cathedral.....which definitely will be completed by his successor......he was generous soul.....
As an ardent writer, Bishop Ballin published several written works. In 2004, he published two of his books in Arabic, 'The Ways of the Spirit' and 'History of the Church'. The first explores, in-depth, the Rule of St Pacomius as the founder of communitarian monastic life. His second publication is a treatise on the history of the Church from its inception in the 15th century, the book particularly aimed at explaining the life of the Church to the Arab world, with special reference to the Eastern Church.
From 2005 till his last breath he worked for the well being of the Church...a faithful son and servant of Mother Church
The Nuncio of Gulf who also attended last two days of the retreat which I preached.....`both Nuncio and Bishop Ballin worked together very well....May the Lord grant him eternal rest.....May your words and example inspire all the children of the Church.....Your death is a big loss for the universal Church but specially for the Church in Gulf....we will miss you dear bishop
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