Morocco’s diverse Catholic community awaits Pope Francis’ visit
rabat — Ahead of Pope Francis arriving in Morocco, the country’s small and diverse Catholic community gathered excitedly at Rabat’s cathedral to get their hands on tickets to see the pontiff.
“We’re lucky! The pope is coming to Africa, it will bring together communities from all walks of life in a Muslim country. It’s extraordinary,” said Ernould Kumba, 27, originally from Congo-Brazzaville.
On the first Sunday of Lent, a tight crowd gathered around the cathedral nave including tourists, foreign retirees, and a majority of parishioners from sub-Saharan Africa.
The pope’s arrival on Saturday has been hailed as a “unique opportunity” by Rabat’s archbishop, Cristobal Lopez Romero, who said it demonstrates that “we value more that
which unites us than that which divides us”. “You come from all peoples and all countries,” the Spanish archbishop told churchgoers, rolling off a list of those who were due to be baptised. Reflecting the diversity of the parish, there was a reading in Portuguese before the Lord’s Prayer in Arabic.
Around 30,000 to 35,000 Catholics live in Morocco, a tenth of the
number before the North African country gained independence in 1956. Back then there were more than 200 Catholic churches, while now just 44 remain, which are supported by Morocco’s migrant communities.
The first wave of arrivals from sub-Saharan Africa came in the 1990s, with students on university grants, followed by those over the past decade who are seeking to reach Europe.
“They breathe new life, I’ve never seen a church so young, with an average age of 30 to 35”, said Father Daniel Nourissat, who leads the Rabat parish.
Lizzie, a 20-year-old Ivorian, said she wasn’t previously a strong believer but “everything” changed when she came to study in Morocco. “It’s not easy, here, and faith is a great support,” she said.
The sentiment was echoed by Jean-Baptiste, a fellow Ivorian, who said many parishioners attend church to “create a fraternity”.
The pope’s two-day visit follows an invitation by King Mohammed VI, as part of the “development of inter-religious dialogue” according to Moroccan authorities.