Algiers, 30 September, 2022 / 8:50 pm (ACI Africa).
The leadership of the Catholic Church in Algeria has announced “with regret the complete and definitive closure” of all charitable activities and initiatives carried out by Caritas Algeria, as from the first day of October 2022.
In a statement obtained by ACI Africa Wednesday, September 28, the Local Ordinary of Algiers says that the measure was taken at the request of the “public authorities” of the North African country.
“The Catholic Church in Algeria announces with regret the complete and definitive closure of its service called ‘Caritas Algeria’, as from October 1st 2022, in accordance with the request of the public authorities,” Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco says in the statement dated September 25.
Archbishop Vesco adds, “The Catholic Church remains faithful to its charitable mission in the service of brotherhood, in partnership with all people of good will.”
Making reference to the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the member of the Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans – OP) says, “Faith leads a believer to see in the other a brother or sister to be supported and loved.”