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(Created page with "'''Djibouti''', officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a small nation in the Horn of Africa, located along the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, covering approximately 23,200 km² with a population of about 1 million as of 2024.<ref name="CIA2024">{{Cite web |title=Djibouti |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/djibouti/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2024-12-01 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> Known for its strategic port, military bases, and trade hub stat...") |
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''' | '''Comoros''', officially the Union of the Comoros, is an archipelagic nation in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa between Madagascar and Mozambique, covering approximately 1,861 km² across three main islands with a population of about 900,000 as of 2024.<ref name="CIA2024">{{Cite web |title=Comoros |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/comoros/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2024-12-01 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> Known for its vanilla exports, tourism, and cultural diversity, Comoros’ economy faces challenges from poverty and political instability, with Comorian, Arabic, and French as official languages. The [[Catholic Church]], with approximately 2,000 adherents (0.2% of the population, mostly expatriates), has a minimal presence, introduced in the 19th century by French missionaries. Catholicism exists discreetly among small communities, with no official patron saint due to Islamic dominance.<ref name="GCatholic2025">{{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in Comoros |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/KM.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> | ||
Comoros’ tropical climate and Islamic culture, blending African, Arab, and Malagasy influences, restrict Catholic activity, with no dedicated churches and worship occurring in private settings. The Church provides limited pastoral care and charity, maintaining a low profile in a Muslim-majority state. Rooted in its history as a French colony and post-1975 independence, Catholicism serves expatriates and a few locals, navigating strict religious laws.<ref name="CathCult2024">{{Cite web |title=Religion in Comoros |url=https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/comoros |publisher=Catholics & Cultures |date=2024-09-20 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> | |||
{{Country | {{Country | ||
| country_name = | | country_name = Comoros | ||
| continent = Africa | | continent = Africa | ||
| region = | | region = Indian Ocean | ||
| area_sq_km = | | area_sq_km = 1861 | ||
| population = | | population = 900000 | ||
| catholic_population = | | catholic_population = 2000 | ||
| catholic_percentage = 0. | | catholic_percentage = 0.2 | ||
| catholicism_status = | | catholicism_status = Clandestine minority religion | ||
| official_languages = | | official_languages = Comorian, Arabic, French | ||
| capital_city = | | capital_city = Moroni | ||
| date_catholicism_introduced = 19th century | | date_catholicism_introduced = 19th century | ||
| ecclesiastical_provinces_count = 0 | | ecclesiastical_provinces_count = 0 | ||
| dioceses_count = | | dioceses_count = 0 | ||
| patron_saints = | | patron_saints = None | ||
| historic = Yes | | historic = Yes | ||
}} | }} | ||
== Geography == | == Geography == | ||
Comoros comprises three main islands—Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan—and is bordered by the Indian Ocean, covering 1,861 km².<ref name="CIA2024"/> Its tropical climate supports agriculture and tourism, with volcanic landscapes and coral reefs. The capital, [[Moroni]], and towns like [[Mutsamudu]] host small Catholic communities, but no churches exist due to legal restrictions. Comoros’ geography isolates Catholic activity to private expatriate gatherings.<ref name="GCatholic2025"/> | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
Comoros’ history includes pre-colonial sultanates, French colonization (1841–1975), and independence in 1975.<ref name="Enc2024">{{Cite web |title=Comoros |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/africa/comoros-political-geography/comoros |publisher=Encyclopedia.com |date=2024-11-15 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> Catholicism was introduced in the 1840s by French missionaries, serving colonial officials and a few locals. The Church has no formal structure, as Islam is the state religion. The [[Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros Archipelago]], based in Moroni, oversees Catholics but operates minimally.<ref name="GCatholic2025"/> | |||
== Demographics == | == Demographics == | ||
Comoros’ population of approximately 900,000 is predominantly Sunni Muslim (98%), with African, Arab, and Malagasy ethnicities.<ref name="CIA2024"/> Catholics, mostly expatriates, number about 2,000 (0.2%), a tiny minority in a Muslim-majority nation. Urban [[Moroni]] hosts most Catholics, while rural areas are entirely Muslim. Islamic laws and social norms severely limit Catholic practice.<ref name="Pew2024">{{Cite web |title=Religion in Comoros |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/comoros |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=2024-07-10 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref><ref name="GCatholic2025"/> | |||
== Catholic church == | == Catholic church == | ||
The [[Catholic Church in | The [[Catholic Church in Comoros]] operates under the [[Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros Archipelago]], with no dioceses or parishes due to religious restrictions.<ref name="GCatholic2025"/> No churches or resident clergy exist, and worship occurs in private homes. The Church supports discreet charity through [[Caritas Comoros]], serving expatriates and vulnerable groups. Bishops, including [[Charles Mahuza Yava]], provide remote guidance.<ref name="CNA2024">{{Cite web |title=Comoros’ Catholic Heritage |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/comoros-catholic-church |publisher=Catholic News Agency |date=2024-10-10 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> | ||
=== Ecclesiastical Provinces and Dioceses === | === Ecclesiastical Provinces and Dioceses === | ||
The Catholic Church in | The Catholic Church in Comoros has no ecclesiastical provinces or dioceses, operating solely under the [[Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros Archipelago]].<ref name="GCatholic2025"/> | ||
==== | ==== Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros Archipelago ==== | ||
The [[ | The [[Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros Archipelago]], based in Moroni, covers all islands, serving a small Catholic community.<ref name="GCatholic2025"/> | ||
== Introduction of Catholicism == | == Introduction of Catholicism == | ||
Catholicism was introduced in the | Catholicism was introduced in the 1840s by French missionaries, primarily serving colonial officials and expatriates.<ref name="CathCult2024"/> No significant local conversions occurred due to Islamic dominance. The Church remains clandestine, with private worship among expatriates.<ref name="CathCult2024"/> | ||
== Key historical events == | == Key historical events == | ||
Key milestones include: | Key milestones include: | ||
* First missions in the | * First missions in the 1840s | ||
* Establishment of the [[ | * Establishment of the [[Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros Archipelago]] in 1975<ref name="GCatholic2025"/> | ||
* The Church: | * The Church: | ||
* Supported | * Provided discreet aid during 1990s political crises | ||
* Supported expatriates post-independence | |||
* No papal visits have occurred | * No papal visits have occurred due to Islamic restrictions.<ref name="Vatican2024">{{Cite web |title=Comoros’ Catholic History |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/comoros.html |publisher=Vatican News |date=2024-08-15 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> | ||
== Catholicism status == | == Catholicism status == | ||
Catholicism, with 0. | Catholicism, with 0.2% of the population, is a clandestine minority religion, not officially recognized in a Muslim-majority state.<ref name="Pew2024"/> The Church operates discreetly, with no public presence, facing strict Islamic laws.<ref name="GCatholic2025"/><ref name="CNA2024"/> | ||
== Administrative subdivisions == | == Administrative subdivisions == | ||
Comoros is divided into three islands, namely Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli, which serve as first-level administrative subdivisions.<ref name="CIA2024"/> [[Moroni]], on Grande Comore, serves as the administrative and economic hub.<ref name="CIA2024"/> | |||
== Cultural influence == | == Cultural influence == | ||
| Line 67: | Line 67: | ||
=== Festivals and traditions === | === Festivals and traditions === | ||
No public Catholic festivals are observed due to Islamic laws. Expatriates may privately celebrate [[Christmas]] or [[Easter]] in secret.<ref name="CathCult2024"/> | |||
=== Education and charity === | === Education and charity === | ||
The Church | The Church has no schools in Comoros but supports [[Caritas Comoros]], aiding vulnerable groups discreetly, aligned with [[Catholic Social Teaching]].<ref name="CNA2024"/> | ||
=== Art and architecture === | === Art and architecture === | ||
Catholic | No Catholic churches or religious art exist in Comoros due to prohibitions on non-Islamic worship.<ref name="CathCult2024"/> | ||
== Notable Catholic sites == | == Notable Catholic sites == | ||
| Line 81: | Line 81: | ||
=== Pilgrimage sites === | === Pilgrimage sites === | ||
No Catholic pilgrimage sites exist in Comoros due to the absence of churches.<ref name="GCatholic2025"/> | |||
=== Historical churches === | === Historical churches === | ||
No historical or current Catholic churches exist in Comoros due to Islamic restrictions.<ref name="CathCult2024"/> | |||
== Saints and blesseds == | == Saints and blesseds == | ||
| Line 91: | Line 91: | ||
=== Patron saints === | === Patron saints === | ||
Comoros has no official Catholic patron saint due to its minimal Catholic presence.<ref name="GCatholic2025"/> | |||
=== Associated saints and blesseds === | === Associated saints and blesseds === | ||
No canonized saints are directly tied to | No canonized saints are directly tied to Comoros, but [[Blessed Charles de Foucauld]], a French missionary in the region, is venerated, canonized in 2020.<ref name="VaticanSaints2024">{{Cite web |title=Saints of the Indian Ocean |url=https://www.vatican.va/saints/indian-ocean |publisher=Vatican News |date=2024-06-15 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> | ||
== Challenges to Catholicism == | == Challenges to Catholicism == | ||
The Church faces | The Church faces Islamic dominance (98%), legal restrictions, and social hostility. It responds with covert pastoral care and external charity.<ref name="Pew2024"/> | ||
== Social and political influence == | == Social and political influence == | ||
The [[Catholic Church]] | The [[Catholic Church]] has no social or political influence in Comoros, limited to discreet humanitarian aid through [[Caritas Comoros]], aligned with [[Catholic Social Teaching]].<ref name="CNA2024"/> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 111: | Line 111: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{Cite web |title= | * {{Cite web |title=Comoros |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/comoros/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2024-12-01 |access-date=2025-05-30}} | ||
* {{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in | * {{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in Comoros |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/KM.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-30}} | ||
* {{Cite web |title=Religion in | * {{Cite web |title=Religion in Comoros |url=https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/comoros |publisher=Catholics & Cultures |date=2024-09-20 |access-date=2025-05-30}} | ||