Christianity in Algeria - Reintroduction of Christianity

Reintroduction of Christianity

The Roman Catholic Church was reintroduced in Algeria after the French conquest, when the diocese of Algiers was established in 1838. Proselytization of the Muslim population was at first strictly prohibited; later the prohibition was less vigorously enforced, but few conversions took place. The several Roman Catholic missions established in Algeria were concerned with charitable and relief work; the establishment of schools, workshops, and infirmaries; and the training of staff for the new establishments. Some of the missionaries of these organizations remained in the country after independence, working among the poorer segments of the population. In the early 1980s, the Roman Catholic population numbered about 45,000, most of whom were foreigners or Algerians who had married French or Italians.

Under French rule, the Catholic population of Algeria peaked at over one million, but most of them left following Algeria's independence in 1962. In recent years, there has been a rise of Islamic fundamentalism, culminating in the 1996 murder of Pierre Claverie, bishop of Oran.

The country is divided into four dioceses, including one archdiocese.

• Archdiocese of Alger
  • Diocese of Constantine
  • Diocese of Oran
• Diocese of Laghouat (Immediately subject to the Holy See)

The diocese of Algeria was established in 1838 with the conquest of Algeria by French colonial troops. All proselytism among Muslims has long been prohibited and the role of the Catholic Church is limited to acts of charity.