“I see myself first of all as a pastor of migrants.” This is how Bishop Paul Hinder OFM Cap., who turned 80 years old today, defines himself.

It is indeed a wonder and a clear sign of how the Holy Spirit works, to see that Bishop Paul Hinder, a Swiss national, leading the vast intercultural and multi-national community of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia. A community which houses people from nations around the world. Yet this shepherd leads with so much fatherly love that not one person is left disappointed.

A true shepherd in all aspects, Bishop Paul was born in Bussnang TG, Switzerland, on 22 April 1942 to Wilhelm Hinder and Agnes Meile.

He joined the Franciscan Capuchin Order in 1962 and was ordained a priest on 4 July 1967. After specialized studies in Canon Law in Munich and Fribourg, he obtained his Doctorate in Theology in 1976. He was active as a professor, in the formation of young Capuchins, later as provincial in Switzerland and as General Councilor in Rome for the worldwide Capuchin Order.

On 20 December 2003, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Arabia and was ordained Bishop on 30 January 2004 in Abu Dhabi. On 21 March 2005 he succeeded late Msgr. Bernardo Gremoli as Vicar Apostolic of Arabia (UAE, Oman, Yemen, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia).

After the Vicariate of Arabia was divided into the Northern and Southern Vicariates, Bishop Paul shepherds the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (UAE, Oman, Yemen) and is the Apostolic Administrator of the Vicariate of Northern Arabia (Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia).

Bishop Paul is a member of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (presently absorbed into the Dicastery of Integral Human Development). He has also served as consultor to both the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (for two consecutive five year terms beginning 2009) and to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

Bishop Hinder is multi lingual and has fluency in German, French, English and Italian; he also speaks some Spanish.

On February 5, 2019, His Holiness Pope Francis visited the United Arab Emirates, the first-ever visit of a Pope to the Arabian Peninsula. Bishop Paul spearheaded the event, making sure that the vast community of migrants would have a chance to catch a glance of the Pontiff, a once in a lifetime event for many.

Bishop Paul holds a special place in his heart for the Youth and teens of the Vicariate. He is present at youth events to inspire them to live in faith. His presence is guaranteed every year at the TUFF Retreat, an event held for the teens.

Bishop Paul on his various visits to the parishes in the AVOSA region makes sure to attend the celebrations of the different rites in the region.

“The joys exceed the struggles”, he said in one of his interviews when asked about his experience in the vicariate. “At times I feel like St. Paul with his communities; full of gratitude and joy when I see their faith, but at the same time worn out by trying to overcome internal conflicts. I go on with peacefulness; I am a worker in the Lord’s vineyard and I know that it is He who makes the fruit grow.”

Bishop Paul Hinder serves tirelessly, being there for the needs of each and every child of God under his Vicariate. Always being there as a Shepherd, a Father guiding His children to Eternal Glory.