Christianity in Morocco
Christians in Morocco constitute less than 1%[1][2] of the country's population of 33,600,000 (2014 census). Most of the Christian adherents are Catholic and Protestants.
During the French and Spanish protectorates, Morocco had significant populations of European Catholic settlers; on the eve of independence, an estimated 470,000 Catholics resided in Morocco.[6] Since independence in 1956, the European Christian population has decreased substantially, and many Christians left to France or Spain. Prior to independence, the European Catholic settlers had historic legacy and powerful presence.[6] Independence prompted a mass exodus of the European Christian settlers; after series of events over 1959-1960 more than 75% of Christian settlers left the country.[6]
In 2022, the U.S. State Department estimated the current number of Moroccan Christians as more than 40,000.[7] Pew-Templeton estimates the number of Moroccan Christians at 20,000.[8] The number of the Moroccans who converted to Christianity (most of them secret worshippers) are estimated between 8,000[9]–50,000.[10][11] Since 1960 a growing number of Moroccan Muslims are converting to Christianity.[12][13][14][15][16]
Criminal prohibitions
Article 3 of the Moroccan constitution "guarantees to all the free exercise of beliefs". However, the Moroccan criminal code prohibits conversions to other religions than Islam. Conversions of Muslims to Christianity (either
According to Article 220 of the Moroccan Penal Code, "anyone who employs incitements to shake the faith of a Muslim or to convert him to another religion" incurs a sentence of three to six months' imprisonment and a fine of 200 to 500 dirhams. Any attempt to induce a Muslim to convert is illegal. Foreign missionaries either limit their proselytizing to non-Muslims or attempt to conduct their work discreetly. In spite of these limitations, a 2015 study estimates some 3,000 believers in Christ from a Muslim background.[17]
In 2023, Morocco was ranked as one of the 30 countries in the world where it is most dangerous to be a Christian.[18]
History
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Early Christianity
According to tradition, the
Christianity was introduced to the region in the 2nd century AD, and gained converts in the towns and among slaves as well as among Berber farmers. By the end of the 4th century, the Romanized areas had been Christianized, and inroads had been made among the Berber tribes, who sometimes converted en masse.
Muslim conquest
Archaeological and scholarly research has shown that Christianity existed after the Muslim conquests. The Catholic Church gradually declined along with local Latin dialect.[21][22] Another view however that exists is that Christianity in North Africa effectively ended soon after the conquest of North Africa by the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate between AD 647–709.[23]
Many causes have been seen as leading to the decline of Christianity in Maghreb. One of them is the constant wars and conquests as well as persecutions. In addition, many Christians also migrated to Europe. The Church at that time lacked the backbone of a
The treatment and
Local Catholicism came under pressure when the Muslim fundamentalist regimes of the
Another phase of Christianity in Maghreb began with the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century.[32] After the end of Reconquista, the Christian Portuguese and Spanish captured many ports in North Africa.[33]
In June 1225, Pope Honorius III issued the bull
The bishopric of Marrakesh continued to exist until the late 16th century and was borne by the
European influence (c. 1912 – 1956)
During the era of the Spanish protectorate and the French protectorate over Morocco, the conditions of the Catholic Church have flourished, and Catholic churches,
Prior to independence, Morocco was home to half a million
Between the last years of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, an estimated 250,000
Independent Morocco (since 1956)
Independence prompted a mass exodus of the European Catholic settlers; after 1956 more than 75% of Catholic settlers left the country.
Since 1960 a growing number of Moroccan Muslims are converting to Christianity.[12][50][14][51][16] Many Moroccan Christians of Berber or Arab descent mostly converted during the modern era or under and after French colonialism.[41]
Denominations
Catholicism
Christianity has had a long presence in Morocco, dating back to the Roman Empire.
During the French and Spanish protectorates, Morocco had significant populations of European Catholic settlers: on the eve of independence, an estimated 470,000 Catholics resided in Morocco.[6] Since independence in 1956, the European Catholic population has decreased substantially, and many Catholics left to France or Spain. Prior to independence, the European Catholic settlers had historic legacy and powerful presence.[6] Independence prompted a mass exodus of the European Catholic settlers; after series of events over 1959-1960 more than 75% of Catholic settlers left the country.[6]
Today there are around 30,000
Protestantism
Anglicanism
While most areas of Africa (including eastern North Africa) have independent Anglican dioceses and provinces, the western part of North Africa, including the Anglican Church of Morocco, is part of the
The Anglican
The Anglican Church of St John the Evangelist, Casablanca, is centrally located, near to the Hyatt Regency hotel in the city centre. It has a well-established congregation, and holds two services every Sunday morning to accommodate all worshippers. There is a catechetical programme for children.[53]
On 27 March 2010, the Moroccan magazine TelQuel stated that thousands of Moroccans had converted to Christianity. Pointing out the absence of official data, Service de presse Common Ground, cites unspecified sources that stated that about 5,000 Moroccans became Christians between 2005 and 2010.[54] An estimate credits a Christian program by Brother Rachid with involvement in the conversion of many Muslims in North Africa and the Middle East to Christianity, including 150,000 in Morocco.[55]
Since 1960 a growing number of Moroccan Muslims are converting to Christianity.[12][50][14][56][16] Many Moroccan Christians of Berber or Arab descent mostly converted during the modern era or under and after French colonialism.[41]
Eastern Orthodoxy
There are three functioning
See also
- Religion in Morocco
- Islam in Morocco
- Catholic Church in Morocco
- Protestantism in Morocco
- Arab Christians
- Berber Christians
- Bahá'í Faith in Morocco
- History of the Jews in Morocco
- Freedom of religion in Morocco
- Irreligion in Morocco
References and notes
- ^ US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ "The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov.
- ^ ISBN 0-905838-91-2.
- ^ Ancient African Christianity: An Introduction to a Unique Context and Tradition By David E. Wilhite, page 322
- ^ "Office of the President – Bethel University". Archived from the original on 2 February 2007.
- ^ ISBN 9781512824971.
- ^ International Religious Freedom Report 2022 - US Department of State
- ^ Pew Templeton, 2013
- ^ "Christian Converts in Morocco Fear Fatwa Calling for Their Execution".
- ^ "'House-Churches' and Silent Masses - The Converted Christians of Morocco Are Praying in Secret - VICE News".
- ^ "Christians want marriages recognized in Morocco". reuters. 8 June 2018.
- ^ ISBN 9781475903423.
. In all an estimated 40,000 Moroccans have converted to Christianity
- ^ "'House-Churches' and Silent Masses - The Converted Christians of Morocco Are Praying in Secret - VICE News". 23 March 2015.
Converted Moroccans - most of them secret worshippers, of whom there are estimated to be anywhere between 5,000 and 40,000 -
- ^ a b c "Morocco's 'hidden' Christians to push for religious freedom". AfricanNews. 30 January 2017.
There are no official statistics, but leaders say there are about 50,000 Moroccan Christians, most of them from the Protestant Evangelical tradition.
- ^ "Morocco 2019 International Religious Freedom Report" (PDF). RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT. 30 January 2019.
the Moroccan Association of Human Rights estimates there are 25,000 Christian citizens. One media source reported that while most Christians in the country are foreigners, there are an estimated 8,000 Christian citizens and that "several thousand" citizens have converted, mostly to Protestant churches..
- ^ a b c "Morocco's Christian converts emerge from the shadows". Time of Israel. 30 April 2017.
Converts to Christianity form a tiny minority of Moroccans. While no official statistics exist, the US State Department estimates their numbers at between 2,000 and 6,000.
- ^ Johnstone, Patrick; Miller, Duane Alexander (2015). "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census". Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion. 11: 14. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ^ Open Doors 2023 Watchlist, Retrieved 2023-07-05
- OCLC 1139892409.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ^ Cantor, Norman F (1995), The Civilization of the Middle Ages
- ^ Der Nahe und Mittlere Osten By Heinz Halm, page 99
- ^ Ancient African Christianity: An Introduction to a Unique Context and Tradition By David E. Wilhite, page 332-334
- ^ "Office of the President - Bethel University". Archived from the original on 2 February 2007.
- ^ Ancient African Christianity: An Introduction to a Unique Context and Tradition By David E. Wilhite, page 336-338
- ^ The Disappearance of Christianity from North Africa in the Wake of the Rise of Islam C. J. Speel, II Church History, Vol. 29, No. 4 (December, 1960), pp. 379-397
- ^ S2CID 211665760.
- ISBN 0521337674.
- ^ Phillips, Fr Andrew. "The Last Christians Of North-West Africa: Some Lessons For Orthodox Today".
- ISBN 978-0-691-13484-0.
- ^ "citing Mohamed Talbi, "Le Christianisme maghrébin", in M. Gervers & R. Bikhazi, Indigenous Christian Communities in Islamic Lands; Toronto, 1990; pp. 344-345".
- ISBN 9789966150691.
- ISBN 9781608331499.
- ]
- ISBN 978-0812203066.
- ISBN 9781843838098., page 103-104
- ISBN 978-0812203066., page 117-20
- ISBN 9004097910.
- ^ ISBN 9780810884939.
- ISBN 92-871-2611-9.
- ISBN 0-674-01017-5
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8028-2415-8. Archivedfrom the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ Spain: Forging an Immigration Policy, Migration Information Source
- ^ Pétridés, Sophron (1913), "Tingis", Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. XIV, New York: Encyclopedia Press.
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 26 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 397–398. .
- ^ "2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Morocco" (PDF). U.S. Department of State - United States Department of State. 2 June 2022. p. 3.
- ^ "2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Morocco" (PDF). U.S. Department of State - United States Department of State. 2 June 2022. p. 3.
- ^ International Religious Freedom Report 2008, U.S Department of State
- ^ "Converted Christians in Morocco Need Prayers – Journal Chrétien". 21 February 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013.
- ^ "2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Morocco" (PDF). U.S. Department of State - United States Department of State. 2 June 2022. p. 2.
- ^ a b "'House-Churches' and Silent Masses —The Converted Christians of Morocco Are Praying in Secret – VICE News". 23 March 2015.
Converted Moroccans — most of them secret worshippers, of whom there are estimated to be anywhere between 5,000 and 40,000 —
- ^ "MOROCCO2019INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT" (PDF). RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT. 30 January 2019.
the Moroccan Association of Human Rights estimates there are 25,000 Christian citizens. One media source reported that while most Christians in the country are foreigners, there are an estimated 8,000 Christian citizens and that "several thousand" citizens have converted, mostly to Protestant churches..
- ^ See Tangier tourist website here for details.
- ^ Referenced at this website.
- ^ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld – Morocco: General situation of Muslims who converted to Christianity, and specifically those who converted to Catholicism; their treatment by Islamists and the authorities, including state protection (2008–2011)".
- ^ Osservatorio Internazionale: "La tentazione di Cristo" Archived 5 September 2014 at archive.today April 2010
- ^ "MOROCCO2019INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT" (PDF). RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT. 30 January 2019.
the Moroccan Association of Human Rights estimates there are 25,000 Christian citizens. One media source reported that while most Christians in the country are foreigners, there are an estimated 8,000 Christian citizens and that "several thousand" citizens have converted, mostly to Protestant churches..
- ^ "Православная Церковь в Марокко: Communauté Orthodoxe au Maroc. Ορθόδοξη Κοινότητα Μαρόκου". www.orthodox.ma.
Further reading
- Baida, Jamaa; Vincent Feroldi; Ibrāhīm Bū Ṭālib (2005). Présence chrétienne au Maroc, XIXe-XXe siècles (in French). Édition & impressions Bouregreg communication. ISBN 9954-423-97-4.
External links
- CIPC - Casablanca International Protestant Church
- MMC – Marrakech Monday Church
- RIC – Rabat International Church
- EEAM The Evangelical Church of Morocco
- ECAM The Catholic Church in Morocco
- AECAM Aumonerie des Etudiants Catholiques Au Maroc
- Enseignement Catholique Au Maroc Archived 1 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- (in French) Hiwarmaroc a site of Moroccan converts to Christianity.
- Muslims Turn to Christ in Morocco – CBN Report