The Europa World Yearbook 1999 states that as of 31 December 1996 the Roman Catholic Church had "an estimated 12,700 adherents in Iran, comprising 6,100 of the Chaldean Rite, 2,600 of the Armenian Rite and 4,000 of the Latin Rite" (1999, 1810). Please consult that publication, which is available in Regional Documentation Centres, for contact details for the Armenian, Chaldean, and Latin Rites in Tehran. A Chaldean Archdiocese for Teheran is listed in the Vatican-published Annuario Pontificio per l'Anno 1996 (1996, 702). Its address is Forsat Ave. 91, Tehran 15819, tel. (21) 8823549. According to this publication the Archdiocese for Tehran has 4,500 Catholics, 5 parishes, 8 "secular priests resident in the diocese," 1 "diocesan priest ordained during the year," 1 seminarian taking a course; 14 "members of women's religious institutes," 3 educational institutes, 4 charitable institutes, and 40 baptisms (702). Youhannan Semaan Issayi is named as the Archbishop of Tehran while S.E.R. Mons. Ramzi Garmou is the "Coadiutore" (in Italian) (ibid.).

Please see the attachment to IRN30743.E of 18 December 1998 from the Apadana Website for a list of Christian churches in Tehran. The Website of Farsinet contains a "Worldwide Directory of Iranian/Persian Christian Churches" (n.d.). This directory refers to 3 parishes and 15 missions of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East. It lists two cathedrals in Tehran:

St. George's Cathedral. Reverend Father Yousef Rashidi. Reverend Father Ashur Tamraz. No. 65 Sa'ed Agha Balazadeh St., South Karagar Avenue, Tehran 13337. Phone: (98-21) 542-606. Fax: (98-21) 545-171.

St. Mary's Cathedral. V. Rev.Cor-bishop Domara Benjamin. No. 121 Babakhanloo Brothers Avenue, Sepah Square, Tehran. Office: (98-21) 768-080. Fax: (98-21) 545-171 (ibid.).

A professor of sociology at California State University, who specializes in third world development, social change, democratization in the Middle East and Iran, stated in a 29 October 1999 telephone interview that the Catholic church is officially recognized as a minority religion in Iran. He stated that, in his opinion, "people have respect for them." He stated that it is possible for Muslims to attend Catholic services and said that if a "simple person" wants to convert "that's not a problem." He claimed that he has heard of many cases of ordinary people converting from Islam to Christianity. He said that "it is not a crime to convert from Islam to Christianity" and that the "government does not need to know" if this does occur. However, this professor said that if the person who is converting is doing so for some additional reason, such as securing a visa to leave Iran, or for "political" or "high-profile" reasons, then they could face problems. He stated that people are "strongly discouraged" from converting and added that the "tradition is that no one who comes from the Muslim religion can convert." He also stated that the conservative clergy may use their influence to discourage conversion.

A professor of political science at California State University, who specializes in Iranian political history and Middle East political development and who has served as an "expert witness" in American deportation hearings dealing with Iran, stated during a 29 October 1999 telephone interview that because Christians, including Catholics, are considered to be "people of the book" they are not mistreated on the basis of their beliefs. As such, there "isn't political pressure on Catholics per se." However, he said there are social biases and prejudices, particularly in the "lower classes," such as questions as to whether Christians are clean and whether one should eat at their homes. The professor added that the death penalty exists for apostasy.

This professor said that he was aware "through rumours and stories", that Muslims do sometimes attend Catholic services. He said that government authorities "do not actively spy" on the churches, but that if a Muslim were attending he/she would take some care. While he could not say whether Catholic church authorities discourage the attendance of Muslims, in his opinion he did not think that the Catholic church would discourage Muslims from attending and that they would more likely extend welcome to those interested in the church.

A professor of political science at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, who specializes in Iranian politics and is a past Executive Director of the Center for Iranian Research and Analysis (CIRA), wrote that "I do not know of any discriminatory actions against the Catholic Church and the Catholics in contemporary Iran. 'Mainline' Christian groups, including the Catholics, practise their faith rather freely in Iran" (29 Oct.. 1999).

A 12 March 1999 report on the visit of Iranian President Khatami to the Vatican, states that "the Vatican is interested in improving conditions for Christians in Iran ... There are only 13,000 Catholics, and they are allowed to worship in their churches, but according to Fides, the missionary news agency of the Holy See, Catholics are strictly watched and denied some civil rights, like serving in the army or the government" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer).

The U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999 makes no direct mention of the Catholic Church in Iran. According to this report:

The Government restricts freedom of religion. The Constitution declares that the "official religion of Iran is Islam and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism." It also states that "other Islamic denominations are to be accorded full respect," and designates Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians as the only "recognized religious minorities," which, "within the limits of the law", are permitted to perform their religious rites and ceremonies and "to act according to their own canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education." ...

The Government is highly suspicious of any proselytizing of Muslims by non-Muslims and can be harsh in meting out its response, in particular against Baha'is and evangelical Christians. ...

The Government does not ensure the right of citizens to change or renounce their religious faith. Apostasy, specifically conversion from Islam, can be punishable by death. ...

As conversion of a Muslim to a non-Muslim religion can be considered apostasy under traditional Shari'a practices enforced in the country, non-Muslims can not proselytize Muslims without putting their own lives at risk. Evangelical church leaders are subject to pressure from authorities to sign pledges that they would not evangelize Muslims or allow Muslims to attend church services (9 Sept. 1999).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999. 1998. United States Department of State. Washington, DC.

Annuario Ponfificio. 1996. Città del Vaticano: Liberia Editrice Vaticana.

The Europa World Year Book 1999. 1999. 40th ed. London: Europa Publications.

Farsinet. n.d. "Worldwide Directory of Iranian/Persian Christian Churches: Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East." http://www.farsinet.com/icc/iran.html [Accessed 28 Oct. 1999]

Professor of Political Science, California State University, Northridge. 29 October 1999. Telephone interview.

Professor of Political Science, Spring Hill College, Mobile Alabama. 29 October 1999. Correspondence.

Professor of Sociology, California State University, Los Angeles. 29 October 1999. Telephone interview.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 12 March 1999. Alessandra Stanley. "Pope Grants Iran Leader a Private Audience; Islamic Nation's First Visit Since Shah's Era." (NEXIS)

Iran: A Travel Survival Kit. May 1998. Paul Greenway and David St. Vincent. Victoria: Lonely Planet.

Iran: A Travel Survival Kit. 1992. David St. Vincent. Victoria: Lonely Planet.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, REFWORLD, World News Connection (WNC).

Internet sites including:

Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Tehran Times.

NetIran: Encompassing IRNA 1993-98, Iran News 1993-98, Tehran Times 1995-98