The Catholic Church exists in Tunisia but with restricted activities

The Parish Priest of the Cathedral of Tunis, Fr. Sergio Perez, has told catholic reporters that the Church in Tunisia is tolerated by the state, but it is not allowed by law to express itself publicly. Tunisia is predominantly a Moslem country and Christian processions are forbidden and conversion from Islam to Catholicism is also outlawed. Fr. Perez is an Argentinian national and a member of a religious order known as the Institute of the Incarnate Word. He said the Catholic church is the only religious community in Tunisia that has an agreement with the state. The agreement was signed in the 1960s between the Holy See and the state of Tunisia. By this agreement, the church's existence is legaly recognised, and can  carry out its work without political interference. The members of the Catholic Community in Tunisia are mainly migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, Diplomats, students and officials and employees of non-governmental organisations. The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the country. In the capital, Tunis, the church is represented by an archbishop. Various Catholic religious orders are engaged in evangelization in schools and in medical facilities.  Fr. Perez noted, however, that the rise of Islamic militants in the country is increasingly becoming an issue of concern for Christians there.