Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa

{{Short description|Assembly of Catholic bishops in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia & Western Sahara}}

{{Infobox Organization|name=Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa|image=|image_border=|size=|caption=|map=|msize=|mcaption=|abbreviation=CERNA|motto=|formation=1966|extinction=|type=NGO|status=Civil nonprofit|purpose=To support the ministry of bishops|headquarters=Rabat, Morocco|location=|region_served=Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Western Sahara|membership=Active and retired Catholic bishops of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara|language=|leader_title=President|leader_name=Cristóbal López Romero SDB,|main_organ=Conference|parent_organization=|affiliations=|num_staff=|num_volunteers=|budget=|website=|remarks=}}The Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa (CERNA) (French: Conférence Episcopale Régionale du Nord de l'Afrique or Conférence des Evêques de la Région Nord de l’Afrique) is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. Founded in 1965, it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic hierarchy (i.e., diocesan, coadjutor, and auxiliary bishops) in those countries. The conference is based in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. The current President is Cristóbal López Romero, the Archbishop of Rabat.{{Cite news|url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/conference/033.htm|title=Conférence Episcopale Régionale du Nord de l’Afrique (C.E.R.N.A.)|work=GCatholic|access-date=2017-06-20}}

History

The Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa was founded in 1966, with Archbishop of Algiers Cardinal Léon-Étienne Duval as its first president.

On 8 June 2007, members of the conference were received by Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City.{{Cite web|url=http://www.africamission-mafr.org/cerna.htm|title=Viste ad limina de la Conférence Episcopale de l'Afrique du Nord|website=www.africamission-mafr.org|access-date=2017-06-20}} The five bishops present were Maroun Elias Nimeh Lahham, Claude Rault, Gabriel Piroird, Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, and Alphonse Georger.

From October 6–9, 2013, the Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa met in Rome.{{Cite news|url=https://www.france-catholique.fr/CONFERENCE-DES-EVEQUES-DE-LA-REGION-NORD-DE-L-AFRIQUE-CERNA.html|title=CONFERENCE DES EVEQUES DE LA REGION NORD DE L'AFRIQUE (CERNA)|last=admin|date=2013-10-10|work=France Catholique|access-date=2017-06-20|language=fr-FR}} The bishops resided at the Pontifical French Seminary and met there to discuss issues facing the bishops' respective countries and dioceses. The trip ended on October 9, when the bishops went to St. Peter's Square to hear Pope Francis' public address. Francis personally addressed the bishops from North Africa, calling for them to "consolidate our fraternal relations with Muslims."

Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa

History

Member dioceses

Presidents

See also

References