Catholic leader draws stares in predominantly Muslim Qatar

Published: 2004-06-01

DOHA, Qatar (CNS) -- Maronite Bishop Joseph Khoury cuts an impressive, tall and noble figure, but that was not the only reason why sales clerks stared at him in wonder on an unexpected trip to a Doha mall. Bishop Khoury, head of the Diocese of Saint-Maron of Montreal, came to the Qatari capital May 27-29 to take part in the opening sessions of the second annual Qatar Muslim-Christian Dialogue conference. "My baggage never arrived by the morning of the second day, so the hotel staff took me to a nearby mall to buy some fresh undergarments," he told Catholic News Service over breakfast May 29. He went to the stores wearing what he wore on the flight from Montreal -- his long clerical vestments and magenta sash and skullcap. "I was besieged by dozens of Filipinos who had apparently never seen a bishop before in their lives," he said. "They were thrilled, and I could see they were suddenly proud to be Catholic," he said.

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