Christianity in Algeria

Christianity In Algeria

Asia

Bangladesh • Bhutan • Brunei • Burma • Cambodia • China • Hong Kong • India • Indonesia • Japan • Kazakhstan • Korea • Laos • Malaysia • Maldives • Mongolia • Nepal • North Korea • Pakistan • Philippines • Russia • Singapore • South Korea • Sri Lanka • Taiwan • Tajikistan • Thailand • Turkmenistan • Uzbekistan • Vietnam

Europe

Albania • Armenia • Austria • Azerbaijan • Belarus • Belgium • Bosnia & Herzegovina • Bulgaria • Cyprus • Denmark • Finland • France • Georgia • Germany • Greece • Iceland • Ireland • Italy • Jersey • Kosovo • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Macedonia • Netherlands • Norway • Malta • Moldova • Montenegro • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • Serbia • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom

North America

Antigua & Barbuda • Barbados Belize • Canada • Costa Rica • Cuba Dominica • Dominican Republic • El Salvador • Grenada Guatemala • Haiti • Honduras Jamaica • Mexico • Nicaragua • Panama • Trinidad and Tobago United States

South America

Brazil • Chile • Colombia • Ecuador • Guyana • Paraguay • Peru

Middle East

Afghanistan • Bahrain • Iran • Iraq • Israel • Jordan • Kuwait • Lebanon • Oman • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • Syria • United Arab Emirates • Yemen

Oceania

Australia • East Timor • Fiji • Kiribati • Marshall Islands • Micronesia • Nauru • New Zealand • Palau • Papua New Guinea Samoa • Tonga • Tuvalu • Vanuatu •

Full list •

Part of a series on the
Culture of Algeria
History Maritime history • Military history • Economic history
People
Languages Berber • Arabic
Traditions Gender roles
Mythology and folklore
Cuisine Couscous • Karantita • Makroudh • Merguez • Pastilla • Wine • more
Festivals Public holidays • International Arab Film Festival • Sahara International Film Festival
Religion Christianity (Roman Catholicism) • Islam • Judaism • more
Art
Literature Writers • more
Music and performing arts Andalusi nubah • Berber music • Chaabi • Hip hop • Hofii • Nuubaat • Raï • Zindalii • more
Media Radio Television Cinema Films • Newspapers • more
Sport Basketball (national team) • Football • Olympics • Rugby union (national team) • Tennis (Davis Cup team) • Tennis (Fed Cup team) • more
Monuments World Heritage Sites Madghacen • more
Symbols Flag National anthem Coat of arms more
Culture portal Algeria portal

Christianity came to North Africa in the Roman era. Its influence declined during the chaotic period of the Vandal invasions but was strengthened in the succeeding Byzantine period, only to disappear gradually after the Arab invasions of the 7th century. Christianity is the fastest growing religion in Algeria. North Africa is primarily Muslim: Islam is the state religion of Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. While the practice and expression of other faiths is guaranteed by law, the same legal framework tends to restrict them insofar as overt proselytising is concerned.

Converts to Christianity may be investigated and searched by the authorities. Although the current number of Christians in North Africa is low, churches built during the French and to a lesser extent Italian rule can still be found. There is some evidence that there has been an increase in conversions to Christianity among North African Muslims in recent years. The total number of Christians remains very low relative to the populations of those countries. The percentage of Christians in Algeria is less than 2% (2009). In 2009, the UNO counted 45,000 Roman Catholics and 50,000 to 100,000 Protestants in the country.

Conversions to Christianity have been most common in Kabylie, especially in the wilaya of Tizi-Ouzou. In that wilaya, the proportion of Christians has been estimated to be between 1% and 5%. Christians have at times been subjected to religiously-motivated attacks. In 1996, Mgr Pierre Claverie, bishop of Oran, was assassinated by terrorists. This murder occurred soon after that of seven monks of the Trappistes of Tibérine, and of six nuns. During that era, commonly known as the black decade, between 100,000 and 200,000 Algerians lost their lives.