It is a modest place of worship, but it is important in several ways. Located within centuries-old walls, the Catholic church of Taroudant is a Christian spiritual haven in Muslim lands. As our photo above shows, it is characterized by great simplicity and a small size, which nevertheless does not lack allure, especially since it combines Berber motifs, in the form of two large colorful carpets.
The Catholic Church of Taroudant is located almost in the center of the Amazigh city. It is accessed via a street named 20-August Avenue (photo), a date that commemorates the 1955 clashes against the imposed exile of the Sultan of Morocco, Mohammed ben Youssef, the future King Mohammed V.
This place of worship experienced its moment of glory when, in the 2000s, Jacques Chirac, then President of the French Republic, frequently attended services there with his wife Bernadette.
The couple were then staying at the Gazelle d'Or, which they contributed to making famous and which is now unfortunately in disrepair.
Behind the high ochre-colored walls, the chapel is accessed through a small Andalusian garden with a symbolic layout. The entrance door (our photo) is modest. It nevertheless invites you to enter the cool interior.
The desire for peaceful coexistence and good understanding with Islam is expressed by an inscription in Arabic (our photo) which means "Love God".
The Catholic community in the Taroudant region numbers a few hundred people, including the Protestants. The Sunday evening service, which takes place at 6:30 p.m., is, however, attended by only a handful of faithful. The Easter celebration takes place this Sunday at 11 a.m.
The influence of the Catholic Church of Taroudant is nevertheless much wider. It is carried by a priest of the kind we love, Marc Helfer, without whose arrival the Catholic parish of Roudanie would perhaps have disappeared.
In February 2023 (our photo), Marc, for example, was the driving force behind the tribute paid at the Tiout palm grove to Saïd, the creator of the already legendary Igueldan bivouac, who passed away too soon.
The Catholic church of Taroudant displays on one of its walls a painting (our photo) in honor of the seven monks of the Algerian monastery of Tibhirine, massacred in 1996.
The presence of Christian witnesses in the land of Islam is well understood in the Kingdom of Morocco. Commander of the Faithful, and as such protector of all religions, King Mohammed VI has unambiguously declared himself in favor of a tolerant, moderate Islam that coexists with other cultures .
The Catholics of Souss Massa also have a church in Agadir, called Sainte-Anne, where Christmas carols are sung .
The Reformed have their own temple, also in Agadir, which belongs to the Evangelical Church (our photo).
This place of worship is located at the intersection of Mokhtar Soussi Street and Echouada Street, near the departure station of the cable cars which lead to the Kasbah .
It is discreet, but nevertheless very present.
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