Cardinal Tauran celebrates 100 years of Algerian Basilica

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has encouraged Algerian Christians to be witnesses of a Church that is ever more open to friendship and dialogue. The President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran delivered the message on Friday morning, during the course of a Mass being celebrated in the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, Algeria, to mark to 100^th anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica’s delegation.

As the Holy Father’s special envoy for the centenary celebrations, Cardinal Tauran also conveyed the Pope’s spiritual closeness to the Christian community in the country, and called on all the faithful of Algeria to engage in interreligious dialogue and to persevere in friendship, especially because Algerian Christians are called “to live in a country in which the majority of the citizenry practices the Muslim religion.”

Cardinal Tauran also called on the local Ordinary, Bishop Paul Desfarges of Constantine-Hippo, to keep the doors of the Basilica always open, so that anyone and everyone might be able therein to discover a house in which to rest awhile, or place oneself in search of truth, love and liberty – ideals that were so dear to the Basilica’s Patron, St. Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Listen: