Roman Catholicism in Tunisia
Encyclopedia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and curia
Curia
A curia in early Roman times was a subdivision of the people, i.e. more or less a tribe, and with a metonymy it came to mean also the meeting place where the tribe discussed its affairs...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
Archdiocese
There are around 20,000 Catholics in this predominantly IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
ic country, which forms a single diocese - the Archdiocese of Tunis. The sole active cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
is St. Vincent de Paul in Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, completed in 1897 while Tunisia was a French protectorate. Catholic influence during the colonial period also included extensive missionary work by the French Primate of Africa, Cardinal Lavigerie
Charles Lavigerie
Charles Martial Allemand Lavigerie was a French cardinal, archbishop of Carthage and Algiers and primate of Africa.Born at Bayonne, he was educated at St Sulpice, Paris...
. Another cathedral, Saint Louis
Saint Louis Cathedral, Carthage
Saint Louis Cathedral is an old Roman Catholic cathedral located in Carthage, Tunisia.Situated on the peak of Byrsa Hill and near the ruins of the ancient Punic and then Roman city, the cathedral is no longer used for worship but hosts concerts of Tunisian music and classical music. The only Roman...
in Carthage
Carthage
Carthage , implying it was a 'new Tyre') is a major urban centre that has existed for nearly 3,000 years on the Gulf of Tunis, developing from a Phoenician colony of the 1st millennium BC...
, was also built in the 19th century and for some years had the primacy of all Africa under Cardinal Lavigerie.
Tunisian Independence
The number of Catholics fell following Tunisian independence. The ownership of many Catholic buildings, including the Saint Louis Cathedral, was transferred to the state under a modus vivendiModus vivendi
Modus vivendi is a Latin phrase signifying an agreement between those whose opinions differ, such that they agree to disagree.Modus means mode, way. Vivendi means of living. Together, way of living, implies an accommodation between disputing parties to allow life to go on. It usually describes...
reached between the Vatican and the Republic of Tunisia.
Facilities
Catholics form the majority (around 20,000 out of 25,000) of Christians in the country. However, only about 500 of these Catholics regularly practice. The Diocese of Tunis operates 12 churches, 9 schools, several libraries, and 2 clinics. In addition to holding religious services, the Catholic Church has opened a monasteryMonastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
, freely organized cultural activities, and performed charitable work throughout the country. Occasionally, Catholic religious groups hold services in private residences or other locations.
See also
- Patriarchate of CarthagePatriarchate of CarthageThis is a list of bishops and archbishops of Carthage, often referred to as Primate proconsular Africa, Numidia, Mauritania and Tripolitania. Until the seventh century, the bishops are recognized by the Orthodox Church and The Roman Church as their own....
- Religion in TunisiaReligion in TunisiaIslam is by far the dominant religion in Tunisia; 99% of Tunisians are Muslim. Minority religions include Christianity , Judaism , and the Bahá'í Faith . The Constitution of Tunisia provides for freedom of religion unless it disturbs the public order.-Islam:Ninety-nine percent of Tunisians are...
- :Category:Churches in Tunisia