Catholic Church in Morocco

St. Peter's Cathedral, Rabat

The Catholic Church in Morocco is part of the worldwide Catholic Church (particularly the Latin Church), under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. Catholics account less than 1% of the overall population of over 31 million. The country is divided into two archdioceses; Rabat and Tangier.

During the era of the Spanish protectorate and the French protectorate over Morocco, the conditions of the Catholic Church have flourished. Due to European Catholic settlers, an estimated 470,000 Catholics resided in Morocco.[1] Catholic churches, schools, and hospitals were built throughout the country, and until 1961, Sunday mass festivities were broadcast on radio and television networks. After the independence, the Catholic population decreased significantly as many Catholics left to France or Spain.[2]

## History[edit]

### During the French and Spanish protectorate[edit]

Icon of Our Lady of Morocco.

Prior to independence, the numbers of the Catholics in French Morocco reached about 360,000 or about 4.1% of the population[2] while in Casablanca European Christians formed almost half of the population.[3] Catholics in French Morocco were mostly of French descent, and to a lesser extent of Spanish and Italian ancestry.[2] Some Moroccans of Berber or Arab descent converted to Christianity during the French colonialism.[4]

In 1950, Catholics in Spanish protectorate in Morocco and Tangier constitute 14.5% of the population, and Spanish Morocco was home to 113,000 Catholic settlers.[2] Catholics in Spanish protectorate in Morocco and Tangier were mostly of Spanish descent, and to a lesser extent of Portuguese, French and Italian ancestry.[2] In the years leading up to the First World War, European Christians formed almost a quarter the population of Tangier.[5][6]

During Morocco's struggle for independence, the Catholic and Protestant churches stood in solidarity with the Moroccan people.[7] Already prior to independence, Catholics such as Msgr Lefevre, bishop of Rabat, imagined the role of the Catholic church as one of presence and service to the Muslim population as opposed to solely focusing on the European settlers. These Catholic were influenced by the ideas of the Catholic mystic and desert explorer Charles de Foucauld who promoted respect for the Muslim religion, Christian-Muslim dialogue and living closely together with the Muslim population.[8]

### After the independence[edit]

Since independence in 1956, the European population has decreased substantially, and many Catholics left to France or Spain.[2] Independence prompted a mass exodus of the European Catholic settlers; after 1956 more than 75% of Catholic settlers left the country.[1]

Upon invitation of archbishop Lefevre, the monastery of Toumliline was founded in 1952 which became host for that International Meetings, conferences on contemporary issues and interfaith dialogue that were attended by Christian, Jewish and Muslim scholars.[9] These came to an end when during the Years of Lead the monastery was forced to close down and the community had to leave.[10] Nevertheless, the church continued Christian-Muslim dialogue, opening an inter-faith research center in Rabat in 1980-81 and supporting the formation of the Groupe de Recherche Islamo-Chétien in 1977, which still exists today.[8]

In 2020, there are aporoximately 24,000 Catholics in Morocco; this included 53 priests and 155 nuns.[11] Most Catholics were European expatriates, with a big majority of French and Spanish from colonization and post-independence. The second group is composed of Sub-Saharan immigrants, mainly students. Aside from Arabic, all of the Europeans can speak Spanish and French, which are also spoken by Catholic Arabs, Berbers, and Moors, and these languages are used in the celebration of Mass, in prayer meetings, and in education.[citation needed] During his visit to Morocco on March 31, 2019, Pope Francis openly acknowledged that there Catholics, including the Catholic church workers, are a minority in the country.[12] There are several monastic orders active in the country, among them the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary[13] and Trappists.[14]

Though Christian proselytation is forbidden in Morocco,[2] there are also converts from Islam, the dominant religion of the country. Those that convert keep their faith secret as they often force discrimination and legal charges like also converts to Shiism.[15]

There are also between 3,000 and 10,000 Protestants in the country, most of them from sub-Saharan Africa.[16][17]

## List of cathedrals and churches[edit]

### Archdiocese of Rabat[edit]

The Archdiocese of Rabat is divided into 4 regions:

#### Region of Rabat[edit]

Rabat

* St. Peter's Cathedral
* Church of Saint Pius X
* Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
* Our Lady of Peace

#### Region of Casablanca[edit]

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Casablanca

Casablanca

* Church of Our Lady of Lourdes
* Church of Anfa-Maarif
* Church of Carmel Saint Joseph
* Church of Christ the King
* Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
* Sacré-Cœur Cathedral
* Church of Saint James

Former Catholic church, El Jadida

El Jadida

* Church of Saint Bernard

#### Region East[edit]

Fes

* Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

Meknes

* Notre Dame des Oliviers

Midelt

* Priory of Our Lady of Atlas

#### Region South[edit]

Agadir

* Church of Saint Anne

Our Lady of the Assumption, Essaouira

Essaouira

* Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

Church of the Holy Martyrs, Marrakech

Marrakech

* Church of the Holy Martyrs

Ouarzazate

* Church of Saint Therese

### Archdiocese of Tangier[edit]

Main article: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tangier

Tangier

* Church of the Immaculate Conception
* French Church of Tangier
* Roman Catholic Cathedral of Tangier

Tetouan

* Church of Nuestra Señora de las Victorias

Asilah

* Church of San Bartolome

Church of Saint Bartholomew, Arzila

## Chronology of Catholic Dioceses[edit]

* 40-100 Toledo \- Spain (Tamazgha, Morocco)
* 300-400 Toledo (Metr.) - Spain (Tamazgha, Morocco)
* 1226 Fez (established from Toledo)
* 1234 Marrakech (in part continuation of the Fez diocese after the latter's suppression)
* 1469 Tanger / Tangier (detached from Ceuta, and from Marrakech)
* 1487 Safi (detached from Marrakech before 1487) - (Algarve behind the sea)
* 1542 Safim (incorporated in Tanger) - (Algarve behind the sea)
* 1566 Marrakech (suppressed)
* 1570 Tanger (suppressed) - (Algarve behind the sea)
* 1630 Marocco / Marruecos (AP, See in Tanger) - (State of Fez, State of Morocco)
* 1908 Marocco / Marueccos (AV) - (Spanish Morocco, French Morocco)
* 1923 Rabat (AV, detached from Marocco) - (French Morocco)
* 1955 Rabat (AD)
* 1956 Tanger (AD, and new name, previously Marocco)

Reference Chronology of Catholic Dioceses: Morocco

## See also[edit]

* Religion in Morocco
* Christianity in Morocco
* Protestantism in Morocco
* Freedom of religion in Morocco
* List of cathedrals in Morocco

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b Greenberg, Udi; A. Foster, Elizabeth (2023). Decolonization and the Remaking of Christianity. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 105\. ISBN 9781512824971.
2. ^ a b c d e f g F. Nyrop, Richard (1972). Area Handbook for Morocc. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. p. 97\. ISBN 9780810884939.
3. ^ Albert Habib Hourani, Malise Ruthven (2002). "A history of the Arab peoples." Harvard University Press. p.323. ISBN 0-674-01017-5
4. ^ Fahlbusch, Erwin; Bromiley, Geoffrey William; Lochman, Jan Milic; Mbiti, John; Pelikan, Jaroslav; Vischer, Lukas; Barrett, David B. (2003). The Encyclopedia of Christianity: J-O. ISBN 978-0-8028-2415-8. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
5. ^ Pétridés, Sophron (1913), "Tingis", Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. XIV, New York: Encyclopedia Press.
6. ^ "Tangier" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 26 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 397–398.
7. ^ Foster & Greenberg 2023, p. 114.
8. ^ a b Foster & Greenberg 2023, p. 115.
9. ^ Bicknell 2022.
10. ^ TIME USA, LLC 1969.
11. ^ Catholics And Culture website
12. ^ "Pope in Morocco: 'Ecumenism of charity' allows religious to be neighbours to all - Vatican News". 31 March 2019.
13. ^ Anglade, Eric. "The Franciscan missionary sisters of Mary will no longer be looking after Ouarzazate". SudEstMaroc. Almaouja. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
14. ^ Olivera, Bernardo (21 May 2006). "Tibhirine Today". tibhirine monastery today. Rome: Order of Cistercians of Strict Observance.
15. ^ Maddy-Weitzman, Bruce; Zisenwine, Daniel (2013). Contemporary Morocco State, Politics and Society Under Mohammmed VI. Routledge. pp. 51–52. ISBN 9780415695466. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
16. ^ US State Dept 2021 report
17. ^ Middle East Online website

## Sources[edit]

* Bicknell, Julia (9 November 2022). "'Spirit of Toumliline' Interfaith Inquiry Lives On 50 Years After Moroccan Monastery Closed". Religion Unplugged. Institute for Nonprofit News. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
* Foster, Elizabeth A.; Greenberg, Udi (29 August 2023). Decolonization and the Remaking of Christianity. University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 114–115. ISBN 978-1-5128-2497-1. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
* "Monasticism: End Of An Adventure". Time. TIME USA, LLC. 23 May 1969. Retrieved 23 January 2024.

## External links[edit]

* Catholic Church in Morocco
* Archdiocese of Rabat
* Archdiocese of Tangier
* Moroccan Conference of Catholic Bishops

Other

* Catholic Campus Ministry in Morocco (AECAM: Aumônerie des Etudiants Catholiques au Maroc)
* Catholic Teaching in Morocco : Catholic Schools Archived 2015-09-01 at the Wayback Machine (Enseignement Catholique au Maroc)
* Church Directory of Morocco
* Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Morocco" . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
* Church of Saint Andrew, Tangier (Anglican Church of Morocco)

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