Catholic Church in Morocco

The Catholic Church in Morocco is part of the worldwide Catholic Church (particularly the Latin Church), under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. Catholics account less than 1% of the overall population of over 31 million. The country is divided into two archdioceses; Rabat and Tangier.

During the era of the Spanish protectorate and the French protectorate over Morocco, the conditions of the Catholic Church have flourished, and Catholic churches, schools, and hospitals were built throughout the country, and until 1961, Sunday mass festivities were broadcast on radio and television networks.

During the era of the Spanish protectorate and the French protectorate over Morocco, Morocco had significant populations of European Catholic settlers: on the eve of independence, an estimated 470,000 Catholics resided in Morocco. Since independence in 1956, 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.

Demographics
Prior to independence, the numbers of the Catholics in French Morocco reached about 360,000 or about 4.1% of the population, Catholics in French Morocco were mostly of French descent, and to a lesser extent of Spanish and Italian ancestry. Some Moroccans of Berber or Arab descent converted to Christianity during the French colonialism. Since independence in 1956, the European population has decreased substantially, and many Catholics left to France or Spain. In 1950, Catholics in Spanish protectorate in Morocco and Tangier constitute 14.5% of the population, and the Spanish Morocco was home to 113,000 Catholic settlers. Catholics in Spanish protectorate in Morocco and Tangier were mostly of Spanish descent, and to a lesser extent of Portuguese, French and Italian ancestry.

In the years leading up to the First World War, European Christians formed almost a quarter the population of Tangier. During the French protectorate in Morocco, European Christians formed almost half the population of the city of Casablanca. Independence prompted a mass exodus of the European Catholic settlers; after 1956 more than 75% of Catholic settlers left the country. 

In 2020, there are aporoximately 24,000 Catholics in Morocco; this included 53 priests and 155 nuns. Most Catholics were European expatriates, with a big majority of French and Spanish from colonization and post-independence.  The second group is composed of Sub-Saharan immigrants, mainly students. Aside from Arabic, all of the Europeans can speak Spanish and French, which are also spoken by Catholic Arabs, Berbers, and Moors, and these languages are used in the celebration of Mass, in prayer meetings, and in education. 

There are also converts from Islam, the dominant religion and when they exist, they keep their faith secret. On March 31, 2019, Pope Francis openly acknowledged that there are few Catholics, as well as few Catholic church workers, in the country.

There are also between 3,000 and 10,000 Protestants in the country, most of them from sub-Saharan Africa.

List of cathedrals and churches 

Casablanca
Church of Our Lady of Lourdes 
Church of Anfa-Maarif
Church of Carmel Saint Joseph
Church of Christ the King
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
Sacré-Cœur Cathedral 
Church of Saint James

Rabat
St. Peter's Cathedral
Church of Saint Pius X
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
Our Lady of Peace

Tangier
 Church of the Immaculate Conception
 French Church of Tangier
 Roman Catholic Cathedral of Tangier

Agadir
Church of Saint Anne

Marrakech
Church of the Holy Martyrs

Meknes
Notre Dame des Oliviers

Fes
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

El Jadida
Church of Saint Bernard

 Tetouan 
Church of Nuestra Señora de las Victorias

Archdiocese of Rabat 
The Archdiocese of Rabat is divided into 4 regions:

Region of Rabat
Region of Casablanca
Region East
Region South

Archdiocese of Tangier

Chronology of Catholic Dioceses
40-100 Toledo - Spain (Tamazgha, Morocco) 
300-400 Toledo (Metr.) - Spain  (Tamazgha, Morocco)
1226 Fez (established from Toledo) 
1234 Marrakech (in part continuation of the Fez diocese) 
1469 Tanger / Tangier (detached from Ceuta, and from Marrakech)  
1487 Safim (detached from Marrakech before 1487) - (Algarve behind the sea) 
1542 Safim (incorporated in Tanger) - (Algarve behind the sea) 
1566 Marrakech (suppressed) 
1570 Tanger (suppressed) - (Algarve behind the sea) 
1630 Marocco / Marruecos (AP, See in Tanger) - (State of Fez, State of Morocco)
1908 Marocco / Marueccos (AV) - (Spanish Morocco, French Morocco) 
1923 Rabat (AV, detached from Marocco) - (French Morocco) 
1955 Rabat (AD)
1956 Tanger (AD, and new name, previously Marocco) 
Reference Chronology of Catholic Dioceses: Morocco

See also
Religion in Morocco
Christianity in Morocco
Protestantism in Morocco
Freedom of religion in Morocco
List of cathedrals in Morocco

References

External links 
Catholic Church in Morocco
Archdiocese of Rabat
 Archdiocese of Tangier
 Moroccan Conference of Catholic Bishops
Other
Catholic Campus Ministry in Morocco   (AECAM: Aumônerie des Etudiants Catholiques au Maroc) 
Catholic Teaching in Morocco : Catholic Schools   (Enseignement Catholique au Maroc)
Church Directory of Morocco

 Church of Saint Andrew, Tangier (Anglican Church of Morocco)

 
Morocco
Morocco