About St. Mary’s African Catholic Community, Dubai. UAE
The African Catholic community at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai is a vibrant and integral part of one of the largest parishes in the world. Members of this community gather for dedicated African Masses, where African languages, music, and cultural expressions play a central role in worship, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of African Catholics living in Dubai.
St. Mary’s serves over 350,000 parishioners from various backgrounds, with Africans comprising a significant portion of the congregation. The church holds Masses in multiple languages, including Swahili and French, to accommodate the spiritual needs of its multicultural membership. The African Masses are particularly known for their warmth, lively singing, and community spirit, and often feature choirs and liturgical expressions unique to African Catholic traditions.
Through regular liturgies, community events, and music, the African Catholic community fosters a sense of belonging and spiritual support for African expatriates in Dubai. This community not only contributes to the religious life of St. Mary’s but also enriches Dubai’s broader cultural and faith landscape.
Our Foundation Story
The African Catholic Community (ACC) of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai, was established in 2004, during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Peter P.M., OFM Cap as Parish Priest, assisted by Rev. Fr. Cyprian, OFM Cap.
Fr. Cyprian observed that many African faithful attended Mass regularly but had limited involvement in parish life. He described the situation as:
“Africans were like oil floating on water — present but without deep roots in the parish.”
Moved to foster unity and spiritual growth, he reached out to Bro. Livinus Yakubu (Nigeria), a member of the Legion of Mary and the English Charismatic group, and Sis. Nancy Karimi (Kenya), a parish lector, to begin mobilizing African Catholics in Dubai.
Bro. Livinus contacted Bro. Alozie Raymond (Nigeria), who then invited Bro. Ejike (Nigeria). Together, they began encouraging fellow Africans to come together for fellowship and evangelization.
The Early Meetings
The first few meetings were held on consecutive Sunday evenings, growing rapidly in attendance. Early members included:
| Bro. Livinus Yakubu (Nigeria) | Bro. Alozie Raymond (Nigeria) | Late Bro. Paul Okonkwo (Nigeria) | Bro. Christian Egbo (Nigeria) |
| Bro. Ejike (Nigeria) | Sis. Nancy Karimi (Kenya) | Bro. Chibueze Favour (Nigeria) | Bro. Solomon Ngumezie (Nigeria) |
Subsequent meetings saw the arrival of more members such as Bro. Emmanuel Obialor and family, Bro. Tony Martins, Bro. Kingsley Ike, Bro. Henry Ezeokoye, Sis. Patricia (Kenya), Bro. Emeka Christopher, and Bro. Kingsley Vincent, among others.
First Officers of ACC
As the community continued to expand, the need for structured leadership arose. The first officers of the African Catholic Community were appointed as follows:
Coordinator
Bro. Tony Martins
Vice Coordinator
Bro. Livinus Yakubu
Secretary
Bro. Solomon Ngumezie
Vice Secretary
Bro. Emeka Christopher
Treasurer
Sis. Nancy Karimi
Growth and Formation
In 2005, the community organized its first Life in the Spirit Seminar, with support from members of the English Charismatic group led by Bro. Hillary. Following the seminar, the community was structured into ministries:
First African Indigenous Priest
On December 2, 2017, the community joyfully welcomed its first African indigenous priest, Rev. Fr. John Mosha, OFM Cap (Tanzania), as chaplain.
Reorganization and Expansion
The African Catholic Community underwent a major restructuring to establish a Central Coordinating Council, designed to unify and provide autonomy to the various affiliated sub-groups under the umbrella of the ACC. The groups are as follows:
African Praise and Worship (Charismatic)
African Community Choir
Legion of Mary (African Chapter)
Divine Mercy Group
Swahili African Catholic Group
French African Catholic Group
African Community Lectors
African Community Ushers
African Community Young Adults
Catholic Men Organization (C.M.O)
Catholic Women Organization (C.W.O)
Interim leadership team
An interim leadership team was appointed prior to formal elections:
| Coordinator: Bro. Anayo Chris Fidelis (Nigeria) | Vice Coordinator: Bro. Biko (Kenya) |
| Secretary: Sis. Chepchumba (Kenya) | Vice Secretary: Jane Flavia (Uganda) |
| Treasurer: Bro. Paul (Cameroon) | Financial Secretary: Bro. Gratis (Tanzania) |
| P.R.O: Bro. Christian Egbo (Nigeria) | Assistant P.R.O: Sis. Mirabelle (Cameroon) |
Second African Indigenous Priest
On May 11, 2025, the community received its second African indigenous priest, Rev. Fr. David, OFM Cap (Madagascar).
Spiritual Leadership
Over the years, the African Catholic Community has been blessed with dedicated spiritual leaders who have guided its growth and faith formation:
1st: Rev. Fr. Cyprian, OFM Cap (India)
2nd: Rev. Msgr. Francis Jemison (Ireland)
3rd: Rev. Fr. Tom Venerocio (Philippines)
4th: Rev. Fr. David, OFM Cap (India)
5th: Rev. Fr. Maria Dass, OFM Cap (India)
Chaplains
First Chaplain
Late Rev. Fr. Gandolf (Switzerland)
First African Indigenous Chaplain (2017)
Rev. Fr. John Mosha, OFM Cap (Tanzania)
Second African Indigenous Chaplain (2025)
Rev. Fr. David, OFM Cap (Madagascar)
Our Mission Today
From humble beginnings in 2004, the African Catholic Community at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai, has grown into a vibrant, faith-filled family rooted in unity, service, and evangelization. Guided by the Holy Spirit and supported by the parish leadership, the community continues to promote active faith participation, cultural diversity, and the shared mission of the universal Church.
Meet our Spiritual Leaders
Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia
Parish Priest
Chaplain, African Community. UAE
Spiritual Director