Iranian Catholics free, but keep low profile

America, October, 2004

The repression and fear that accompanied the first years of the Islamic Revolution in Iran have abated, but it seems no one is fully convinced that there is smooth sailing ahead for Catholics in that country. Iran's Catholic bishops declined to be interviewed by Catholic News Service in September, and Vatican officials and priests in Rome familiar with the life of the Iranian Catholic communities were willing to speak with reporters but not to be named.

In conversations with five people at the Vatican and in Iran, the general impression given was that reforms in Iran under the presidency of Mohammad Khatami have benefited Catholics, but that it is still prudent to keep a low profile.

"We've survived through discretion," one priest said. "I'm sorry we're so...