Christianity in Morocco has a rich, albeit complex, history. Today, Christians in Morocco constitute less than 1% of the country's population of over 37 million. This article delves into the historical roots of Christianity in the region, its current demographics, and the challenges faced by Christians in Morocco today.
Map of Morocco highlighting key regions.
Early History of Christianity in Morocco
Christianity was introduced to the region in the 2nd century AD, gaining converts in towns, among slaves, and Berber farmers. By the end of the 4th century, Romanized areas had been Christianized, and inroads had been made among Berber tribes, who sometimes converted en masse.
Since the Tetrarchy (Emperor Diocletian's reform of governmental structures in 296), Mauretania Tingitana became part of the Diocese of Hispaniae and remained so until its conquest by the Vandals. According to tradition, the martyrdom of St. Marcellus took place on 28 July 298 at Tingis (Tangier) during the reign of Diocletian.
The Diocletianic Persecution resulted in the so-called heresy of Donatism, which caused a schism in the region. Archaeological and scholarly research has shown that Christianity existed after the Muslim conquests.
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Many causes have been seen as leading to the decline of Christianity in Maghreb. One of them is the constant wars and conquests as well as persecutions. In addition, many Christians also migrated to Europe. The Church at that time lacked the backbone of a monastic tradition and was still suffering from the aftermath of heresies including the so-called Donatist heresy, and this contributed to the early obliteration of the Church in the present day Maghreb.
Local Catholicism came under pressure when the Muslim fundamentalist regimes of the Almoravids and especially the Almohads came into power, and the record shows persecutions and demands made that the local Christians of Maghreb were forced to convert to Islam.
Berber Christians continued to live in the Maghrib until the early 15th century, and "[i]n the first quarter of the fifteenth century, we even read that the native Christians of Tunis, though much assimilated, extended their church, perhaps because the last of the persecuted Christians from all over the Maghreb had gathered there." Another group of Christians who came to North Africa after being deported from Islamic Spain were called the Mozarabs.
In June 1225, Pope Honorius III issued the bull Vineae Domini custodes, which permitted two friars of the Dominican Order, named Dominic and Martin, to establish a mission in Morocco and look after the affairs of Christians there. The Bishop of Morocco, Lope Fernandez de Ain, was made the head of the Church of Africa, the only church officially allowed to preach in the continent, on 19 December 1246 by Pope Innocent IV.
The bishopric of Marrakesh continued to exist until the late 16th century and was borne by the suffragans of Seville. Juan de Prado had attempted to re-establish the mission but was killed in 1631.
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Christianity during the French and Spanish Protectorates
Between the last years of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, an estimated 250,000 Spaniard Catholics lived in Morocco. During the French and Spanish protectorates, Morocco had significant populations of European Catholic settlers: on the eve of independence, an estimated 470,000 Catholics resided in Morocco.
Independence prompted a mass exodus of the European Catholic settlers; after 1956 more than 75% of Catholic settlers left the country. Since independence in 1956, the European Christian population has decreased substantially, and many Catholics left to France or Spain.
The Sacred Heart Cathedral of Casablanca, a historical landmark.
Current Demographics
According to the 2004 census, 99 percent of the country's population are Muslim, and 1 percent are Christian. Government estimates the total population at 37.4 million (midyear 2023). More than 99 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim.
Today the expatriate Christian community (Catholic and Protestant) consists of 40,000 practicing members. Today there are around 30,000 Catholics in Morocco. Most Christians reside in the Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakesh, and Rabat urban areas. The majority of Christians in Morocco are foreigners.
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Some Christian community leaders estimate there are between 1,500 and 12,000 Christian citizens distributed throughout the country; however, the Moroccan Association of Human Rights estimates there are 25,000 Christian citizens. Foreign-resident Christian leaders estimate there are at least 30,000 Roman Catholic and approximately 10,000 Protestant noncitizens, many of whom are recent migrants from sub-Saharan Africa or lifelong residents whose families have resided and worked in the country for generations but do not hold citizenship.
Approximately 3,000 foreign residents belong to the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches. There are small, foreign-resident Anglican communities in Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier.
The population is mostly elderly, with a diminishing number of young people. The remainder of the Jewish population is dispersed throughout the country. The estimated size of the Rabat Jewish community is 150 to 200. According to the country's Jewish community leaders, there are an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 Jews, the majority of whom reside in Casablanca and are the remnants of a much larger community that has mostly emigrated.
The Baha'i community, also located in urban areas, numbers 350 to 400 persons.
Legal and Social Challenges
Article 3 of the Moroccan constitution "guarantees to all the free exercise of beliefs". Despite Article 3 of the Moroccan constitution guaranteeing “to all the free exercise of beliefs,” the country’s penal code imposes strict limitations on religious freedom. However, the Moroccan criminal code prohibits conversions to other religions than Islam.
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 three to six months' imprisonment and a fine of 200 to 500 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.
A political party may not legally challenge Islam as the state religion. Religions other than Islam and Judaism are not recognized by the constitution or laws. The constitution and the law governing media prohibit any individual, including members of parliament, who are normally immune from arrest while engaging in their parliamentary duties, from criticizing Islam on public platforms, such as print or online media, or in public speeches.
The law penalizes anyone who “employs enticements to undermine the faith” or converts a Muslim to another faith by exploiting a weakness or need for assistance, or through the use of educational, health, or other institutions; it provides punishments of six months to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 200 to 500 dirhams ($20 to $50).The same penalties apply to anyone who intentionally interferes with religious rites or celebrations where this causes disturbances or affects the dignity of such religious acts.
The penal code punishes anyone who “undermines the Islamic religion” with six months to two years in prison. Sunni Muslims and Jews are the only religious groups recognized in the constitution as native to the country.
In 2010, authorities cracked down on the Christian community, raiding house churches and making arrests. In 2013, the Supreme Ulema Council, in response to a government inquiry, issued a fatwa declaring that apostasy is punishable by death in Morocco.
Local Christian groups and some other minorities are refused official registration and cannot operate legally. Moroccan believers are subject to government surveillance and are occasionally detained and questioned.
The Christian NGO Open Doors stated in its 2023 Country Dossier Report that the penal code, which criminalizes “shaking the faith” of a Muslim, put many Christians who talked to others about their faith at risk of criminal prosecution and arrest.
Positive Developments and Interfaith Relations
However, the situation for Moroccan Christians took a dramatic turn for the better following Pope Francis’ visit to Morocco in 2019 and his meeting with King Mohammed VI. Moroccan Christians are now able to gather in house churches, hold conferences in many Moroccan cities, and speak out publicly.
Over the last decade, Morocco has made headlines for its role in the Marrakesh Declaration and a commitment to protect religious minorities. Notably, in 2019 King Muhammad VI warmly welcomed Pope Francis, and put on a public display of tolerance and coexistence.
The official stance on religious pluralism in the Kingdom of Morocco is that religious belief across the spectrum is to be tolerated, since everyone has inherent and shared human values and rights to dignity. Moroccans have a deeply profound respect for those of all religions.
Religious spaces offer a location of home, identity, and belonging. They hold particular importance for the Christian community in Morocco, where Islam is the overwhelming religion. The Oriental region, encompassing twelve provinces in eastern Morocco, is not isolated from the nation’s multireligious culture.
A shared set of virtues between Muslim Moroccans and religious others inside and outside of Morocco is the most promising avenue to move from mere dialogue to sustainable action.
The Church of St John the Evangelist, Casablanca
While 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.
The Anglican Church of St John the Evangelist, Casablanca, is centrally located, near to the Hyatt Regency hotel in the city centre. It has a well-established congregation, and holds two services every Sunday morning to accommodate all worshippers.
Here's a summary of the religious demographics in Morocco:
| Religion | Percentage of Population | Estimated Number |
|---|---|---|
| Sunni Muslim | 99%+ | Over 37 million |
| Christian | Less than 1% | Estimated 40,000 (foreign residents) + 1,500-25,000 (citizens) |
| Jewish | Small minority | 1,500 - 6,000 |
| Shia Muslim | Small minority | Several thousand citizens + 1,000-2,000 foreign residents |
| Baha'i | Very small minority | 350-400 |
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