Newsbook Malta spoke with Fr Alfred Xuereb, the Apostolic Nuncio to Morocco, about his first year in this new role after five years representing the Vatican in South Korea and Mongolia.
Appointed to Morocco on 5 January 2024, Fr Xuereb found himself in a completely unfamiliar environment but was immediately struck by the warmth of the people. He recounted memorable moments, such as a soldier offering him food to celebrate the end of Ramadan and his Muslim driver asking him to bless his grandchildren.
Morocco’s Christian community is small, with around 80,000 members divided between two dioceses: Rabat, where French is predominantly spoken, and Tangier, where Spanish is the main language. Despite being a minority in a predominantly Muslim country, Fr Xuereb described the Catholic community as vibrant, with meticulous preparation for masses and an active participation in faith activities.
Over the past year, he confirmed seven young Nigerians in their faith and travelled to Casablanca, where he baptised seven babies and visited several communities.
Fr Xuereb acknowledged that while the Catholic community is warmly received, Christians face challenges in the workplace. He explained that openly practising one’s faith can result in marginalisation. For example, those who do not observe Ramadan may be burdened with additional work or treated differently.
In the second part of this interview, Fr Xuereb shares reflections on his time working closely with Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, offering heartfelt anecdotes from their lives. He also discusses his book, My Days with Pope Benedict XVI, which delves into the wisdom and teachings of the late pontiff.
Additionally, Fr Xuereb reflects on his role as Prelate Secretary General of the Secretariat for the Economy of the Holy See, highlighting the responsibilities and challenges of managing the Vatican’s financial operations.
Source: Newsbook.com.mt