Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Tangier

Tangier, Morocco

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is the seat of the Archdiocese of Tangier and one of the most emblematic Catholic temples in Morocco. Located in the historic city of Tangier, it is testimony to centuries of Christian presence in North Africa.

History

The Christian presence in Tangier dates back to the second century AD, when according to the tradition of Saint Marcelo was martyred in ancient Tingi during the persecution of Diocletian in 298. The diocese of Tangier has been documented since about 325.

The seat was canonically erected by Pope Sixto IV on August 21, 1472 through the bull Clara devotionisafter the Portuguese occupation of the city. In 1908 he was raised to apostolic vicariate with episcopal dignity, and on November 14, 1956, through the bull Qui Deo disponente of Pope Pius XII, the apostolic vicariate was elevated to the rank of archdiocese.

The Archdiocese today

In 2022, the Archdiocese of Tangier had 2,990 baptized faithful, 15 priests and 8 parishes, extending its jurisdiction over 20,000 km ² that comprise the region of Tangier-Tetuan- Alhucema and the provinces of Nador and Drouch. Since 7 February 2023 its archbishop is Emilio Rocha Grande, of the Order of Minor Friars.

All the archbishops of Tangier have been Franciscan, as well as most of the clergy, which reflects the deep link of the Franciscan order with the Catholic presence in Morocco since the 13th century.