Christianity in Algeria

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Christianity was introduced into the Maghreb countries (North Africa) in the 3rd century. It was replaced with Islam in the seventh century however.

In our times North Africa is primarily Muslim; Islam is the state religion in Morocco, in Algeria, in Tunisia as well as in Libya. The free expression of other faiths is guaranteed by law.

Although the share of Christians in Northern Africa is low, one finds churches there. It seems there has been an increase in the number of conversions to Christianity in recent years. The total number of adherents remains very low relative to the populations of those countries.

The percentage of Christians in Algeria is the lowest of the three countries of North Africa: less than 0.1% ([2002]).

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.

In the beginning of the 20th century, one estimates at about a million the number of Catholics in Algeria.

In 1996, Msgr Pierre Claverie, bishop of Oran, was assassinated by islamists. This murder was followed that of seven monks of the Trappistes of Tibérine in March of the same year and of six nuns. Reigious animosity seems to have declined since.

In 2002, the UNO counted 10 000 Catholics and between 5 000 and 20 000 Protestants in the country.

The conversions to Christianity have been most common in Kabylie, especially in the wilaya of Tizi-Ouzou^[1]. Despite the high number of Muslims and of non-religious, one counts between 1% and 5% Christians.