Morocco
was a French colony as well as having Portuguese living there, and
there are ex-pats from various cultures living there today, so I'm
wondering what might remain of a Christian presence there from the past,
or what might go on there today.
One of my all-time favourite sights was the cathedral INSIDE the Great Mosque of Cordoba, and Islam historically has been very tolerant of other religions until the very recent past
VISIT ALSO www.facebook.com/pages/United-Church...Morocco/316641876589
Christians in Morocco constitute approximately 1.1% (~380,000) of the country's population (34,859,364 - July 2009 est.).Article 3 of the Moroccan constitution "guarantees to all the free exercise of beliefs", but the Moroccan criminal code prohibits conversions to other religions than Islam. All Moroccans, except a small legally recognized Jewish minority, are presumed Muslims before the law, and thus not allowed to choose their faith. Only foreign Christians openly practice their faith.
According to Article 220 of the Moroccan Penal Code, "anyone who employs incitements to shake the faith of a Muslim or to convert him to another religion" incurs a sentence of 3 to 6 months' imprisonment and a fine of $16 to $79 (115 to 575 dirhams). Any attempt to induce a Muslim to convert is illegal. Foreign missionaries either limit their proselytizing to non-Muslims or attempt to conduct their work discreetly.
Christianity in Morocco appeared during the Roman times, although it disappeared after the Islamic conquests.
According to tradition, the martyrdom of St. Marcellus took place on 28 July 298 at Tingis (Tangier). Since the Tetrarchy (Emperor Diocletian's reform of governmental structures in 296), Mauretania Tingitana became part of the Diocese of Hispaniae (a Latin plural) and hence in the Praetorian Prefecture of the Gauls (Mauretania Caesariensis was in the diocese of Africa, in the other pretorian prefecture within the western empire), and remained so until its conquest by the Vandals. Lucilius Constantius is recorded as governor (praeses) in the mid to late fourth century.
The expatriate Christian community (Roman Catholic and Protestant) consists of 5,000 practicing members, although estimates of Christians residing in the country at any particular time range up to 25,000. Most Christians reside in the Casablanca and Rabat urban areas The majority of Christians in Morocco are foreigners, although Voice of the Martyrs reports there is a growing number of native Moroccans converting to Christianity, especially in the rural areas. Many of the converts are baptized secretly in Morocco’s churches
An Iglesia (Spanish for church) in Tétouan
The Anglican Church of Saint Andrew, Tangier has become a tourist attraction, partly due to certain well-known figures buried in its churchyard.The church is an early twentieth-century replacement for an earlier smaller building, which was built with the express permission of the King of Morocco, on land donated by him.
The Anglican Church of St John the Evangelist, Casablanca, is centrally located, near to the Hyatt Regency, a landmark hotel in the city centre. It has a well-established congregation, and holds two services every Sunday morning to accommodate all worshipers. There is a catechetical programme for children.
http://journalchretien.net/5369-converted-christians-in-morocco-need-prayers?lang=fr
One of my all-time favourite sights was the cathedral INSIDE the Great Mosque of Cordoba, and Islam historically has been very tolerant of other religions until the very recent past
VISIT ALSO www.facebook.com/pages/United-Church...Morocco/316641876589
Christians in Morocco constitute approximately 1.1% (~380,000) of the country's population (34,859,364 - July 2009 est.).Article 3 of the Moroccan constitution "guarantees to all the free exercise of beliefs", but the Moroccan criminal code prohibits conversions to other religions than Islam. All Moroccans, except a small legally recognized Jewish minority, are presumed Muslims before the law, and thus not allowed to choose their faith. Only foreign Christians openly practice their faith.
According to Article 220 of the Moroccan Penal Code, "anyone who employs incitements to shake the faith of a Muslim or to convert him to another religion" incurs a sentence of 3 to 6 months' imprisonment and a fine of $16 to $79 (115 to 575 dirhams). Any attempt to induce a Muslim to convert is illegal. Foreign missionaries either limit their proselytizing to non-Muslims or attempt to conduct their work discreetly.
Christianity in Morocco appeared during the Roman times, although it disappeared after the Islamic conquests.
According to tradition, the martyrdom of St. Marcellus took place on 28 July 298 at Tingis (Tangier). Since the Tetrarchy (Emperor Diocletian's reform of governmental structures in 296), Mauretania Tingitana became part of the Diocese of Hispaniae (a Latin plural) and hence in the Praetorian Prefecture of the Gauls (Mauretania Caesariensis was in the diocese of Africa, in the other pretorian prefecture within the western empire), and remained so until its conquest by the Vandals. Lucilius Constantius is recorded as governor (praeses) in the mid to late fourth century.
The expatriate Christian community (Roman Catholic and Protestant) consists of 5,000 practicing members, although estimates of Christians residing in the country at any particular time range up to 25,000. Most Christians reside in the Casablanca and Rabat urban areas The majority of Christians in Morocco are foreigners, although Voice of the Martyrs reports there is a growing number of native Moroccans converting to Christianity, especially in the rural areas. Many of the converts are baptized secretly in Morocco’s churches
Roman Catholic
Main article: Roman Catholicism in Morocco
There are around 20,000 Catholics in Morocco, most of them are 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.Anglican
Whilst most areas of Africa (including eastern North Africa) have independent Anglican dioceses and provinces, the western part of North Africa, including the Anglican Church of Morocco, is part of the Diocese of Europe, which is itself part of the Province of Canterbury in the Church of England. There are two permanent chaplaincies, one in Casablanca and one in Tangier. Small groups of Anglicans have worshiped together in Marrakech, but there is no Anglican Church established here.The Anglican Church of Saint Andrew, Tangier has become a tourist attraction, partly due to certain well-known figures buried in its churchyard.The church is an early twentieth-century replacement for an earlier smaller building, which was built with the express permission of the King of Morocco, on land donated by him.
The Anglican Church of St John the Evangelist, Casablanca, is centrally located, near to the Hyatt Regency, a landmark hotel in the city centre. It has a well-established congregation, and holds two services every Sunday morning to accommodate all worshipers. There is a catechetical programme for children.
Protestant
Main article: Protestantism in Morocco
- The Evangelical Church of Morocco (EEAM Eglise Evangelique Au Maroc).
- Casablanca International Protestant Church
- Rabat International Church
Orthodox
- There are Orthodox Churches in Morocco mainly consisting of the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, the Russian Orthodox Church, and Oriental Coptic Orthodox Church.
http://journalchretien.net/5369-converted-christians-in-morocco-need-prayers?lang=fr
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