Christianity in Colombia

The National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) does not collect religious statistics, and accurate reports are difficult to obtain. However, based on various studies and a survey, about 90% of the population adheres to Christianity, the majority of which (70.9%) are Roman Catholic, while a significant minority (16.7%) adhere to Protestantism (primarily Evangelicalism) and other Christian groups.^[1][2][3][4]

Roman Catholic archdioceses and other dioceses (in brackets)

Main article: Roman Catholicism in Colombia

1. Barranquilla: (El Banco, Riohacha, Santa Marta, Valledupar)
2. Bogotá: (Engativá, Facatativá, Fontibón, Girardot, Soacha, Zipaquirá)
3. Bucaramanga: (Barrancabermeja, Málaga-Soatá, Socorro y San Gil, Vélez)
4. Cali: (Buenaventura, Buga, Cartago, Palmira)
5. Cartagena: (Magangué, Montelibano, Montería, Sincelejo)
6. Ibagué: (Espinal, Florencia, Garzón, Líbano-Honda, Neiva)
7. Manizales: (Armenia, La Dorada-Guaduas, Pereira)
8. Medellín: (Caldas, Girardota, Jericó, Sonsón-Rionegro)
9. Nueva Pamplona: (Arauca, Cúcuta, Ocaña, Tibú)
10. Popayán: (Ipiales, Mocoa-Sibundoy, Pasto, Tumaco)
11. Santa Fe de Antioquia: (Apartadó, Istmina-Tadó, Quibdó, Santa Rosa de Osos)
12. Tunja: (Chiquinquirá, Duitama-Sogamoso, Garagoa, Yopal)
13. Villavicencio: (Granada en Colombia, San José del Guaviare)

Other Churches

Main article: Protestantism in Colombia

Protestantism, primarily Evangelicalism, represents 14% of the population in 2022;^[4] international NGOs have stated that indigenous Protestants face threats, harassment and arbitrary detention in their communities due to their religious beliefs.

The Episcopal Diocese of Colombia is a part of Province 9 of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Colombia claims 209,985 members in Colombia.

There is a small Greek Orthodox community in the country.^[4]

Freedom of religion

The constitution provides for freedom of religion.^[4] However, international NGOs have noted difficulties for indigenous Christians; in particular, indigenous authorities in the Pizarro and Litoral de San Juan municipalities in the Chocó Department have banned the practice of Christianity, and Protestants in particular face threats, harassment and arbitrary detention in their communities due to their religious beliefs.^[4]

In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom.^[5]

In the same year, the country was rank as the 22nd most difficult place in the world to be a Christian.^[6]

See also

• Religion in Colombia

References

1. Beltrán Cely, William Mauricio. "Del monopolio católico a la explosión pentecostal'" (PDF) (in Spanish). Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, Centro de Estudios Sociales (CES), Maestría en Sociología. ISBN 978-958-761-465-7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
2. Beltrán Cely, William Mauricio. "Descripción cuantitativa de la pluralización religiosa en Colombia" (PDF). Universitas humanística 73 (2012): 201–238. – bdigital.unal.edu.co. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-29. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
3. "Religion in Latin America, Widespread Change in a Historically Catholic Region". pewforum.org. Pew Research Center. November 13, 2014.
4. US State Dept 2022 report
5. Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08
6. Open Doors website, retrieved 2023-08-08

Sources

• Status of religious freedom in Colombia article
• Colombia article
• US State Dept 2004 report
• Catholic Hierarchy website