Cardinal Vesco states Catholic Church is not a proselytizing institution

Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, the Archbishop of Algiers, has stated that the Catholic Church is “not a proselytising Church, not a Church that is there to convert.” In an interview with the Belgian media outlet CathoBel, the French-born Cardinal argued that the Church’s role is to be a component of society rather than seeking religious conversions.

Vesco described proselytism as “poison” in monotheistic religions, suggesting that the attempt to convert others implies that their existing beliefs are false, which he claims “puts an end to dialogue.” He advocated for approaching religious and cultural differences through fraternity rather than fear, rejecting the idea of the Church acting as a “besieged fortress.”