-
The first Vicariate in Arabia was established in 1888 as the Apostolic Vicariate of Aden by Pope Leo XIII to tend to the care of the Catholics in the region.
A year later the name of the Vicariate was changed to the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia and covered the whole Arabian Peninsula: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Since 1916, the Vicariate was entrusted to the Capuchins of the Tuscan Province in Florence, Italy.
Because of the political unrest in Aden, the seat of the Bishop was moved to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 1974.
On 31st May 2011, the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia was divided into two: the Vicariates of Northern Arabia and Southern Arabia.
At the same time, with the Ius Commissionis, the responsibility to find mission personnel for Northern and Southern Vicariates was given to the General Superior of the Capuchin Franciscan Order.