Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked nation in South Asia, spanning approximately 652,230 km², bordered by Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China.[1] With a population of about 43 million, its official languages are Pashto and Dari, and its economy relies on agriculture and opium production. The Catholic Church, introduced in the 20th century, is virtually non-existent, with fewer than 200 Catholics (less than 0.001% of the population), maintaining no formal presence due to extreme persecution.[2][3] In a strictly Islamic society under Taliban rule since 2021, the Church faces severe challenges from anti-Christian violence, blasphemy laws, and apostasy prohibitions, with no public Catholic activity permitted.[4][5]
Stored: Afghanistan
| Country: Afghanistan | |
| Historic: | No |
| Existence: | – |
| Continent: | Asia |
| Region: | South Asia |
| Historical Region: | |
| Area: | 652230 km² |
| Population: | 43000000 |
| Catholic Population: | 200 |
| Catholic Percentage: | 0.001% |
| Catholicism Status: | Virtually non-existent, Islam state religion |
| Official Languages: | Pashto, Dari |
| Capital: | Kabul |
| Catholicism Introduced: | 20th century |
| Ecclesiastical Provinces: | 0 |
| Dioceses: | 0 |
| Patron Saints: | None |
| Predecessor States: | |
| Successor States: | |
Geography
Afghanistan covers 652,230 km², featuring rugged mountains, deserts, and the Amu Darya River, with a continental climate.[1] The capital, Kabul, and cities like Kandahar, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif have no visible Catholic communities due to persecution. The Hindu Kush mountains and rural areas are inaccessible for Catholic activities.
History
Afghanistan’s history includes ancient Persian and Buddhist civilizations, Islamic conquests (7th century), Mongol invasions, British influence (19th century), Soviet occupation (1979–1989), and Taliban rule (1996–2001, 2021–present).[6] Catholicism arrived in the 20th century through Italian missionaries, with a small chapel established in Kabul in 1933. The Church’s presence collapsed after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, with Christians fleeing or converting under threat.[3][7] Key Catholic milestones are absent due to extreme restrictions.
Demographics
Afghanistan’s population of approximately 43 million is 37% Pashtun, 25% Tajik, 10% Hazara, 9% Uzbek, and 19% other.[1] Nearly 99.7% are Muslim (85% Sunni, 15% Shia), with fewer than 200 Catholics (0.001%), ranking fourth behind Muslims, Hindus (0.01%), and Sikhs (0.01%).[2][3] Catholics, mostly former expatriates, are underground, with no public presence.[4]
Catholic church
The Catholic Church in Afghanistan has no formal structure, with no dioceses, parishes, or resident clergy, previously under the Mission sui iuris of Afghanistan (dissolved post-2021).[2] A single chapel in the Italian Embassy in Kabul, closed since 2021, was the last Catholic site. The Church operates no institutions due to Taliban prohibitions.[7]
Structure
No ecclesiastical provinces or dioceses exist. The Mission sui iuris of Afghanistan, established in 2002, was administered by Barnabite priests until its dissolution after the Taliban’s return.[8] No bishops or conferences operate locally.
Introduction of Catholicism
Catholicism was introduced in the 20th century by Italian missionaries, primarily serving expatriates, with a chapel built in Kabul in 1933.[8] No significant local conversions occurred due to Islamic dominance and legal barriers.
Key historical events
Significant Catholic events are minimal, including the establishment of the Kabul chapel (1933), the creation of the Mission sui iuris of Afghanistan (2002), and its dissolution post-2021.[3] The Taliban’s 2021 takeover ended all Catholic activity, with reports of forced conversions and killings.[5] In August 2024, the Taliban publicly flogged a man for blasphemy, highlighting ongoing religious repression.[9]
Catholicism status
The Catholic Church in Afghanistan is virtually non-existent, with fewer than 200 Catholics (0.001%) in a nearly 100% Muslim society.[3] The state is Islamic under Taliban rule, with Sharia law enforcing apostasy and blasphemy penalties, including death, banning all non-Muslim activity.[10]
Administrative subdivisions
Afghanistan is divided into 34 first-level administrative subdivisions called Provinces of Afghanistan, including Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat.[1] No Catholic structures align with these regions due to the Church’s absence.
Cultural influence
Festivals and traditions
No Catholic festivals or traditions are observed publicly due to Taliban restrictions. Any private worship, if it occurs, is clandestine and undocumented.[5]
Education and charity
The Church operates no schools or charities, as non-Muslim organizations are banned. Pre-2021 Catholic aid through Caritas ceased after the Taliban takeover.[7]
Art and architecture
No Catholic heritage exists in Afghanistan. The former Kabul chapel, destroyed or repurposed, left no architectural legacy.[3]
Notable Catholic sites
Pilgrimage sites
No Catholic pilgrimage sites exist in Afghanistan.[2]
Historical churches
The Italian Embassy chapel in Kabul, built in 1933, was the only Catholic site, closed since 2021 with no access.[8]
Saints and blesseds
Patron saints
Afghanistan has no designated Catholic patron saint due to the Church’s minimal presence.[8]
Associated saints and blesseds
No saints or blesseds are associated with Afghanistan. Early missionaries, like Saint Francis Xavier, never reached the region.[3]
Challenges to Catholicism
The Catholic Church faces extreme challenges under Taliban rule, with Christianity nearly eradicated since 2021.[5] Blasphemy and apostasy laws carry death sentences, enforced through public floggings and executions, as seen in a 2024 blasphemy case.[9] Anti-Christian violence, including targeted killings and forced conversions, has eliminated public worship, with underground believers at risk of death.[11] The Taliban’s ban on non-Muslim activity and ISIS-K attacks on religious minorities further suppress Catholicism.[12] No formal Church response is possible due to the lack of infrastructure.
Social and political influence
The Catholic Church has no social or political influence in Afghanistan, as non-Muslim groups are outlawed.[10] Pre-2021 humanitarian efforts by Catholic organizations have ceased, with no platform for advocacy or interfaith dialogue under Taliban control.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Afghanistan". CIA World Factbook. 2025-05-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/afghanistan/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Catholic Church in Afghanistan". GCatholic.org. 2025-04-15. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/AF.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Christianity in Afghanistan". Wikipedia. 2025-04-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Afghanistan.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Afghanistan 2025 USCIRF Annual Report". U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. 2025-04-30. https://www.uscirf.gov/reports/afghanistan-2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Afghanistan’s Christians face extinction". Vatican News. 2025-03-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-03/afghanistan-christians-persecution.html.
- ↑ "Afghanistan". Encyclopedia.com. 2025-03-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/asia/afghan-political-geography/afghanistan.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Christianity vanishes in Afghanistan". Catholic News Agency. 2025-03-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/afghanistan-christianity-vanishes.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Catholic Church in Afghanistan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-02-01. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/af.html.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Afghanistan 2025 USCIRF Annual Report". U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. 2025-04-30. https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/Afghanistan%202025%20USCIRF%20Annual%20Report.pdf.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Afghanistan". U.S. Department of State. 2021-05-12. https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/afghanistan/.
- ↑ "Christianity vanishes in Afghanistan". Christian Daily. 2025-03-20. https://www.christiandaily.com/news/persecution-worldwide-spikes-as-some-countries-go-from-bad-to-worse.
- ↑ "2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Afghanistan". U.S. Department of State. 2021-05-12. https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/afghanistan/.