Algeria–Holy See relations

Bilateral relations

Algeria-Holy See relations

Algeria |
Holy See
Diplomatic mission
Algerian Embassy, Vatican City| Apostolic Nunciature, Algiers

The Algeria–Holy See relations are the diplomatic relations between Algeria and the Holy See, which is sovereign over the Vatican. The Holy See has an Apostolic Nunciature to Algeria.

## Algerian independence

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Prior to independence, Algeria was home to a million Catholic settlers (10%).[1] During the Algerian War of 1954-1962 the Holy See accepted the occupation of Algeria by the French colonial empire, and did not speak out in favor of Algerian independence[2] despite pleas from the Algerian rebels to mediate.[3] After Algeria became independent most of the French settlers left the country. However, Algeria generally retained close relationships with France, maintained diplomatic ties with the Holy See and allowed Roman Catholic priests to continue ministering to the remaining Catholics in Algeria.[4]

## Official relationship

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Although Islam is the state religion of Algeria, the Holy See has maintained a comparatively good relationship with the Algerian authorities, with Léon-Étienne Duval being famously recognized as the bishop of Muslims after the departure of French colonists.[5]

The Algerian state has sought to clearly distinguish between the Catholic religion, which is licit in Algeria with limitations to proselytism, and between Evangelical sects, which are officially forbidden and legally repressed by state powers.

## Recent events

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Holy See embassy in Algiers.

In 1996, seven Cistercian monks were killed by Islamist extremists, followed by the death of Roman Catholic bishop Pierre Claverie when a bomb exploded at his residence.[6] The 19 martyrs were beatified in the city of Oran on 8 December 2018, the first such ceremony in a Muslim nation.[7]

On the death of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, the president of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika attended the funeral.[8]

Following remarks by Pope Benedict XVI in Regensberg on 12 September 2006 which were widely interpreted as being offensive to the Muslim religion, the Foreign Affairs minister asked the Vatican's ambassador to provide explanations of these statements.[9] The Algerian Association of Koranic Doctors called on Muslim countries to withdraw their ambassadors from Vatican City in protest.[10]

In March 2017 Pope Francis appointed White Fathers missionary M. Afr. John MacWilliam as bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laghouat, covering the largely Saharan inland of Algeria. MacWilliaam had risen to the rank of major in the British army through 18 years of service, was ordained a priest in 1991,[11] and joined the White Fathers after the assassination of four of its members in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria. He had become known for his efforts at building bridges with the Muslim community.[12]

## See also

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* Catholic Church in Algeria
* Foreign relations of the Holy See
* Foreign relations of Algeria
* Religion in Algeria

## References

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1. ^ Greenberg, Udi; A. Foster, Elizabeth (2023). Decolonization and the Remaking of Christianity. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 105\. ISBN 9781512824971.
2. ^ Marnia Lazreg (2007). Torture and the twilight of empire: from Algiers to Baghdad. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-13135-1.
3. ^ Paul Hofmann (March 12, 1958). "Algerians Appeal to Vatican; New Peace Bid Made to Paris". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
4. ^ Alistair Horne (1978). A savage war of peace: Algeria, 1954-1962. Viking Press. ISBN 0-670-61964-7.
5. ^ Desmond O'Grady (Jan 31, 1997). "A tale of two prelates: an ecumenist & a schismatic". Commonweal. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
6. ^ "French Bishop Killed By Bomb in Algeria". New York Times. August 2, 1996. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
7. ^ "Algeria beatifications are first in a Muslim nation". BBC News. 8 Dec 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
8. ^ "Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to H.E. Mr Idriss Jazaïy, Ambassador of Algeria". Vatican. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
9. ^ "The Foreign Affairs Ministry sends for the Vatican's ambassador". Algeria-Events. Sep 18, 2006. Archived from the original on 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
10. ^ "Two churches struck in Nablus as Muslim countries criticize pope". Asia News. 2006-09-16. Archived from the original on 2008-04-01. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
11. ^ Connolly, Marshall. "Pope Francis appoints peacemaking soldier as bishop over desert diocese that spans two million square kilometers". Catholic Online. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
12. ^ "British soldier turned priest who risked life to keep Catholic church alive in Algeria to become a bishop". www.thetablet.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-12-08.

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Foreign relations of Algeria

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| Former|

* Yugoslavia

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Related topics|

* Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* Minister of Foreign Affairs
* Diplomatic missions of / in Algeria
* Algerian diplomats
* European Union relations

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Foreign relations of the Holy See

Africa|

* Algeria
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Former|

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Multilateral relations|

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Related topics|

* Apostolic nunciature
* Cardinal Secretary of State
* Concordats
* Diplomatic missions: of the Holy See/to the Holy See
* Heads of the diplomatic missions of the Holy See
* Legal status of the Holy See
* Multilateral foreign policy of the Holy See
* Secretariat of State
* Section for Relations with States (Roman Curia)

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