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History of the Catholic Church in Tunisia

Túnez y Cartago

Tunisia is the cradle of Western Christian theology: here were born Tertuliano, San Cipriano and San Agustín. After the disappearance of the ancient Church with the Arab conquest, the Catholic faith only revived with the French protectorate in the 19th century, remaining today a small but significant community.

The ancient Church (centuries II-VII)

Christianity reached the Roman province of Africa (now Tunisia) in the second century. The Church of Carthage became one of the most influential of Christianity:

• Century II: martyrs of Scillium (180), first documented obistors.
• Siglo III: Tertuliano, San Cipriano, large expansion of bishopados.
• IV-V century: Saint Augustine, Concilios de Cartago, golden age of the African Church.
• Sixth century: Byzantine domination, persecution of Donatists and Arians.
• 698: Carthage's fall to the Arabs. Gradual disappearance of the Church.

The French Protectorate and Restoration (1881-1956)

The French conquest of Tunisia (1881) brought the restoration of the Catholic Church:

• 1884: creation of the Apostolic Vicariate of Tunisia.
• 1890: construction of the Cathedral of San Luis in Cartago.
• 1884-1956:: Construction of numerous churches, Catholic schools and hospitals.
• Arrival of missionaries: White parents, brothers of Christian Schools, Capuchin.
• The Catholic community reached about 250,000 members (mostly French, Italian and Maltese).

Independence and the Bourguiba era (1956-1987)

The independence of Tunisia (1956) and the government of Habib Bourguiba important changes:

• A departure from most French and Italian Catholics.
• Nationalization of Catholic schools and hospitals.
• The Cathedral of San Luis de Cartago was given to the Tunisian State (1964, Bourguiba-Paul VI agreement).
• The Catholic community was drastically reduced.

The Church today in Tunisia

La Archdiocese of Tunisiacreated in 1964, it now has some 30,000 faithful, most of them foreign workers (French, sub-Saharan, Filipino). The Church maintains:

• Several churches active in Tunisia, Sfax, Sousse and other cities.
• Educational and social works (schools, reception centres).
• Interreligious dialogue with the Tunisian Islamic world.

The Monastery of Tamesmida

On the island of Tamesmida (near Tabarka), the community of White parents he maintained a Marian monastery that was the center of prayer and dialogue. The current state is unknown.

Prayer for the Church in Tunisia

Lord, that from Cartago the great Fathers of the Church who announced your name to the Western world have come to see with love the land of Tunisia. May the memory of Tertuliano, Cipriano and Augustine be seed of new faith. May Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for Christians living in Tunisia and for dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Amen.