The Catholic Church in
Algeria
)
, image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg
, map_caption =
, image_map2 =
, capital = Algiers
, coordinates =
, largest_city = capital
, relig ...
is part of the worldwide
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
, under the spiritual leadership of the
Pope
The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
in
Rome
, established_title = Founded
, established_date = 753 BC
, founder = King Romulus (legendary)
, image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg
, map_caption ...
.
Prior to independence, Algeria was home to a million
Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
settlers (10%).
Some Moroccans of
Berber (mostly
Kabyle) or Arab descent converted to Christianity during the
French colonialism
The French colonial empire () comprised the overseas colonies, protectorates and mandate territories that came under French rule from the 16th century onward. A distinction is generally made between the "First French Colonial Empire", that existe ...
.
Since independence in 1962, 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.
Independence prompted a mass exodus of the European Catholic settlers; after series of violence events over 1962 more than 80% of Catholic settlers left the country.
Jurisdictions
The country is divided into four
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
dioceses
In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop.
History
In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associate ...
, including one archdiocese with two suffragan dioceses and one exempt diocese (ie immediately subject to the Holy See.)
Ecclesiastical province of Alger
*
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Alger
**
Diocese of Constantine
**
Diocese of Oran
Exempt diocese
*
Diocese of Laghouat (''Immediately subject to the Holy See'')
During
French colonial rule, the Catholic population of Algeria peaked at over one million, but most of these left following Algeria's independence in 1962. There were about 45,000 Catholics residing in the country in the 1980's.
See also
*
List of Catholic dioceses in Algeria
Current dioceses
All Roman Rite
;''Ecclesiastical province of Alger''
* Metropolitan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Alger; united with the titular see of Iulia Caesarea (Ancient bishopric at Alger)
** suffragan Roman Catholic Diocese of Consta ...
, including former jurisdictions, notably many titular sees
*
List of Catholic churches in Algeria
*
List of Saints from Africa
*
List of Christian saints of Algeria
This is a list of Algerian saints, blesseds, venerables, and Servants of God, as recognized by the Catholic Church. These people were born, died, or lived their religious life in the present territory of Algeria.
Catholicism had reached Algeria ...
References
Sources and external links
Official Website of the Catholic Church in Algeria
{{RC-country-stub