Joshua Bennett
The Philippines is predominantly a Catholic country, with the latest statistics from 2020 showing that close to 79% of Filipinos identify as Catholic. This equates to about 80-85 million people. The country's Catholic population has been influential in politics and governance, with the Catholic Church playing a role in overthrowing the Marcos dictatorship in 1986. Additionally, Filipino migrant workers, who make up about 10% of the country's population, have been recognised as modern-day apostles of evangelisation, sharing their faith and setting examples in their host communities worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Filipinos who identify as Roman Catholic | Over 85 million |
| Percentage of Filipinos who are at least nominally Catholic | 78.8% (2020 census), 79% (2020 statistics), 80% (approx. 80 million people), 84% |
| Percentage of Catholics who go to Mass weekly | 37-38% |
| Percentage of Catholic youth who pray often or frequently | 80% |
| Percentage of Catholic youth who receive the Sacraments | 37% |
| Percentage of Filipino Catholics who believe in the Eucharist as Christ's real Body and Blood | 97% |
| Most common way Catholic youth practice their faith | Praying |
| Region with the highest proportion of Roman Catholics | Mandaue (among highly urbanized cities), Albay (among all provinces) |
| Region with the lowest proportion of Roman Catholics | Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (5.3%) |
| Number of Filipino migrants worldwide | Millions |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic influence in politics
The Philippines is overwhelmingly Catholic, with around 85 million people identifying as Roman Catholic, representing 78.8% of the population according to the 2020 census. This makes the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines potentially the most powerful force in politics and governance. The Catholic Church has historically been part of the power elite and has had a significant influence on the country's politics and governance.
The Church was a leading participant in overthrowing the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 and has played a pivotal role in issues such as the suspension of the death penalty during the Macapagal-Arroyo regime. Catholic youths who are knowledgeable about Catholic teachings are more likely to participate actively in political actions, and individuals who frequently exhibit religious norms such as praying, attending church, and being involved in religious communities are more likely to be politically active. This has resulted in large voter turnouts of Roman Catholics in elections and historical participation in political activities.
However, it is important to note that it is the minority sects, such as the 2.6 million-strong Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), that have most used their numbers to elect public officials who represent their interests. The media often describes the INC as "influential" due to its ability to command its members to vote according to its leadership's preferences. This influence can significantly impact a candidate's defeat or victory.
The involvement of religious groups in politics has sparked complaints about violating the Constitutional mandate for the separation of church and state. While the Catholic Church rarely openly endorses political candidates, some of its cardinals and bishops have indicated their preferences in the past. For example, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin publicly stated that he would prefer someone other than Fidel Ramos, a Protestant, to be President in 1992.
In addition to its domestic influence, the Catholic Church in the Philippines has a global impact. With millions of Filipino migrants worldwide, the Catholic Church sees them as modern-day apostles of evangelization in their host countries. Filipino migrants actively participate in church activities and fill empty churches, sharing their faith and setting examples for their communities.
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Catholic Filipinos abroad
The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia, with over 80% of the population (approximately 85 million people) identifying as Roman Catholic. This makes the Catholic Church in the Philippines the most powerful force in politics and governance.
With millions of Filipino migrants all over the world, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) considers Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to be modern-day apostles of evangelization in the countries where they work and migrate. OFWs are highly regarded by the Catholic Church for taking their faith with them wherever they go, filling empty churches, and sharing the "joy of the Gospel".
In Brunei, 70% of the country's 20,000 Catholics are Filipino. Bishop Paul Hinder of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia has also appealed to Filipino bishops to send more Filipinos to the Middle East, where about 90% of his apostolic vicariate is Filipino.
In Hong Kong, 25-year-old college graduate Mary Jane Soriano has been working as a domestic worker for several years. Despite her employer and their family belonging to another religion, she has always made it a point to attend Sunday Mass in a local church.
With millions of Filipino migrants worldwide, they have become missionaries, living their faith and setting examples for their host communities and countries. Filipinos actively take part in church-related activities, filling empty churches, and bringing fallen-away Catholics back to the faith.
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Catholic population by region
As of 2023, the Philippines had a population of around 113.7 million people, and it is estimated that between 75% and 80% of the population identifies as Catholic. This makes the Philippines the country with the third-largest Catholic population in the world, after Brazil and Mexico. The Catholic faith has had a significant influence on the cultural and social fabric of the Philippines, and this is evident in the various regions of the country.
The National Capital Region, also known as Metro Manila, is the most populous region in the country and is home to a significant Catholic population. The region is made up of 16 cities and municipalities, including the city of Manila, which is the capital and the cultural and economic center of the nation. Many of the country's most prominent Catholic churches and institutions are located in this region, including the Quiapo Church, the Manila Cathedral, and the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest Catholic university in Asia.
In the Luzon region, where the majority of the country's land area lies, the influence of Catholicism is also strongly felt. This region is home to many historic churches and religious sites, including the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This group of four churches, built in the 16th and 17th centuries, is located in the towns of Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay, and Miag-ao, and testament to the deep roots of Catholicism in the region.
The Visayas, a group of islands in the central Philippines, is another region with a significant Catholic presence. The faith is an integral part of the region's cultural identity, with many traditional practices and festivals blending Catholic and indigenous influences. The Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, for example, is a vibrant celebration honoring the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus) and features colorful costumes, street parades, and lively dancing.
Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippines, has a significant Catholic population, particularly in the western and southern regions. Here, the faith has played a role in shaping the region's unique cultural identity, which is influenced by both Islamic and Christian traditions. Cities like Zamboanga and Davao are known for their vibrant Catholic communities and have produced several prominent Filipino religious figures.
It is worth noting that while Catholicism is prevalent throughout the Philippines, the degree of religious observance and the specific practices can vary across regions. Some areas may have a more vibrant and outward expression of faith, while others may take a more subdued approach. Nonetheless, Catholicism has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the country, shaping its values, traditions, and cultural landscape.
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Catholic practices and beliefs
The Philippines is Asia's largest Catholic country, with around 85 million people identifying as Roman Catholic, representing 78.8% of the population in 2020. This figure rose by around 5 million from the 2015 census, where Catholics represented 79.5% of the population. The Catholic faith has a significant influence on the country's politics and governance.
The Seven Sacraments
The Seven Sacraments are considered channels of receiving God's grace. They are divided into three categories: Initiation, Healing, and Vocational Consecration. Initiation includes baptism, the Eucharist, and confirmation. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is the ritual where Catholics believe that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ. Healing consists of reconciliation and the anointing of the sick, and Vocational Consecration includes matrimony and ordination.
The Ten Commandments
Catholics believe that the Ten Commandments are an extension of the two great commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... You shall love your neighbour as yourself." The first three commandments tell followers how to love God, and the remaining seven instruct followers on how to love their neighbours.
Other Practices
Catholics also observe rituals such as making the Sign of the Cross, which is usually performed before and after prayers and at the start of Mass. Genuflection, or touching the right knee to the floor while bending the left knee, is another common act of worship. Fasting and abstinence are practised on specific days, such as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and are considered forms of penance. Catholics also place great emphasis on social justice and caring for the vulnerable, advocating for human dignity and addressing issues like poverty and inequality.
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Catholic saints and iconography
The Philippines is a country with a strong Catholic majority, with 80% of the population identifying as Catholic. This equates to over 85 million people, making it the third-largest Catholic population in the world. The Catholic Church in the Philippines is a powerful force in politics and governance, with the ability to influence political decisions and elections.
Catholicism was brought to the Philippines by the Spanish in the 16th century, and the country has produced several saints over the centuries. Saints are individuals who are venerated within the Catholic Church for their exceptional degree of holiness and closeness to God. Filipino saints include San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and martyr, who was canonized in 1987 and later named the patron saint of Filipino youth, the Philippines, and overseas workers. Another is Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint, who was canonized in 2012 and is known for his missionary work and martyrdom in Guam. Other saints include Diego Luis de San Vitores, Jerónima Yañez de la Fuente, Francesco Palliola, Cecilia Talangpaz, Dionisia Talangpaz, and many others.
Filipino saints are celebrated and remembered through various forms of iconography. Iconography refers to the artistic representations of religious figures and themes. In the Philippines, churches are adorned with images and mosaics of angels and saints, often with a crucified Jesus Christ in the centre. Stained glass artwork is also used to depict saints, as seen in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which features a stained glass depiction of San Lorenzo Ruiz. Additionally, statues and shrines honour the saints, such as the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Pedro Calungsod in Cebu City.
The saints are also honoured through traditional rituals and practices during Holy Week, when devotees commemorate the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Filipinos gather in churches, where priests preach, choirs sing, and the community prays together. These devotional practices are an integral part of Filipino Catholic culture and serve to strengthen the sense of community and shared faith.
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Frequently asked questions
Between 78.8% and 80% of Filipinos identify as Catholic. This amounts to over 85 million people.
The percentage of Catholics in the Philippines has decreased slightly since 2015, when 79.5% of the population identified as Catholic.
Catholicism is the dominant religion in the Philippines, and the Catholic Church is a powerful force in politics and governance. The Church was a leading participant in overthrowing the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.
Yes, Filipino migrants tend to be Catholic and practice their faith in their host countries.
