Petition in support of Christians in Algeria.
On the occasion of the Pope's visit in April 2026.
Addressed to the Algerian government.
As the Pope’s visit to Algeria in April 2026 approaches, thirty years after the martyrdom of the monks of Tibhirine, we publicly express our support and prayers for Algerian Christians who live their faith in a climate of increasing restrictions and pressure.
Today, in Algeria, one cannot freely be a Christian. The Constitution adopted in 2020 removed all explicit references to freedom of conscience. Only Islamic identity counts, to the exclusion of all other religions.
Conversions to Christianity are subject to criminal prosecution, and the legal opening of churches has been made virtually impossible since a 2006 ordinance on non-Muslim religions and the 2012 law on associations.
Algerian evangelical Christians suffer state oppression because of their missionary work.
The closure of the 47 churches of the Protestant Church of Algeria and the questioning of its historic legal status, recognized since 1972, illustrate a worrying situation for religious freedom in the country.
Despite its discretion, the Catholic Church has not been spared: its humanitarian service, Caritas, which serves the entire population, was closed on October 1, 2022.
Freedom of conscience and freedom of worship are nevertheless guaranteed by Algeria’s international commitments. They should not depend on a religious majority or a political context.
On the occasion of this major papal visit, we call on the Algerian authorities to:
· Guarantee freedom of conscience for all citizens in practice;
· Allow the legal reopening of closed places of worship and the Caritas service;
· End the persecution of Christians for the peaceful expression of their faith.
By signing,
we are sending a message to the Algerian authorities that the world is watching;
and we are saying to the Christians of Algeria: you are not alone.
Sign to support the Christians of Algeria before the Pope's visit on April 13, 2026.
