Forced to put an end to the activities of its charitable service, the Catholic Church in Algeria wants to continue “in another form” its humanitarian mission in the country.
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The humanitarian service Caritas Algeria, deployed by the Catholic Church across the country for sixty years, is forced to stop its activity from Saturday 1
Since February, the diocese of Algiers has tried without success to convince the Algerian administration that this charity service was not an NGO. “Caritas is not a separate organization but one of the services developed by the Diocesan Association of Algeria (ADA), it therefore has no own legal existence, explained the Archbishop of Algiers to the world Jean-Paul Vesco. (…) We thought there was a confusion with the world network Caritas, which is why in recent months we no longer use this name during our activities but that was not enough. We are. Do not want to conflict with the authorities. “
created a few days before the proclamation of the country’s independence in 1962, Caritas Algeria was known to the general public for its socio -cultural initiatives, its solidarity projects in favor of vulnerable and most disadvantaged people as well as its awareness programs Respect for the environment.
In collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other local structures, members of this Christian charitable service also worked with migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, providing them with ‘Medical aid, literacy courses and school support courses. “Perhaps we had become too important,” wonders the Archbishop of Algiers.
“It’s a painful moment”
With the forced closure of Caritas Algeria, the Catholic Church of Algeria wants to continue “in another form” its charitable mission. “It is a painful, painful, hard moment. But the Catholic Church has often had to reinvent itself. It is a new step that begins. We will continue to do good without making any noise,” says the Archbishop Algiers.
The announcement of the imposed disappearance of Caritas Algeria aroused a great stir with the public. On social networks, many Internet users have deplored a “new sad” and “regrettable”. “It is a blow of the mass”, thus laments Fatiha, an Algerian artist who participated in several selling exhibitions, organized by Caritas Algeria. “They did a lot for the promotion of culture through its exhibitions and projections. It was a magical place, enriching and above all very human,” she deplores.
Nacéra, a young woman from Tlemcen, who followed first aid training in the diocesan house in Algiers, provided by Caritas Algeria, is also afflicted by an “arbitrary and incomprehensible decision. Their work was remarkable, especially their efforts to help the poorest, people with disabilities and those with Alzheimer’s disease “.