Since more than 40 years ago there have been several efforts to establish the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in Principat d’Andorra, a very small country in the middle of the Pyrenean mountains, gapped between Spain and France. It has been over four decades with ups and downs, with intermittent presence of a small company at someone’s home. The effort of a few families living between Andorra and Spain has finally seen the fruits of their prayers and work.
On Sabbath, May 9th 2015 was inaugurated officially the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in Andorra. The government of Andorra counts with a peculiarity since year 1269 a.D. registered in the Pareatge agreements: The country has two heads of State or co-princes. One is the President of France, and the other one is the Bishop of Urgell (Catalonia, Spain). Although both princes reign and develop external relations for the State, none of them actually governs.
Although article 6.1 of the Andorran Constitution warrants the non-discrimination for religious reasons, and the article 11.1 warrants as well freedom of cult and religion, there is a specific mention in articles 11.2 and 11.3 protecting and giving preeminence to the tradicional Church, part of the co-princes, which explains why the first Adventist Church has had to be registered as an Association.
This first official presence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was possible thanks to the registering and recognition by the local authorities of the association “Associació Cristiana Adventista d’Andorra” (A.C.A.D.A.) to adapt our first official presence to the requirements of the Andorran legislation. After the recognition of A.C.A.D.A. the church members could open a facility used as a church for worship. The facility was inaugurated last May 9th 2015, where the very first official Seventh-day Adventist Church worshipers are gathering every Sabbath since in the Pyrenean small country.
Pr. Jesús Calvo, president of the Spanish Union of Churches officiated the act of inauguration. Andorra is part of the Spanish Union of Churches (UAE) in the Inter-European Division. Pr. Daniel Posse and his spouse Sandra Patrone were present as well that special Sabbath, since they are the pastors of the new church, besides the near churches of Lleida and Aitona, in Spain. About 25 Sabbath keepers are worshiping every week in this new church.
The new church address is : A.C.A.D.A. “Associació Cristiana Adventista d’Andorra”, Avinguda d’Enclar, 84 “Prat Condal” - Residencial, (Parada BUS: 5122 Sant Vicenç) Plaça dels Estats Units d’America, local, 5, AD500 - Santa Coloma-Andorra la Vella - Principat d’Andorra
