Catholic_Church_in_Algeria
Catholic Church in Algeria
Overview of the Catholic Church in Algeria
The Catholic Church in Algeria is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome.
Prior to independence, Algeria was home to a million Catholic settlers (10%).[1] Some Moroccans of Berber (mostly Kabyle) or Arab descent converted to Christianity during the French colonialism.[1][2] 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.[1] 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.[1]