Sarah Mitchell
Guatemala has a long history of Catholicism, dating back to the Spanish colonial era when it was introduced as the official religion. While it is no longer the official religion, Catholicism remains a significant force in the country, with approximately 7.7 million adherents, or about 45-46% of the total population. However, this number has declined over the years, with Protestantism gaining more followers and currently accounting for about 40-42% of the population. The Catholic Church in Guatemala is part of the worldwide Catholic Church and has a special status under the constitution, with the government recognizing it as a distinct legal entity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholics in Guatemala | 7.7 million |
| Percentage of Catholics in Guatemala | 42.4% to 46% |
| Total Population of Guatemala | 16.9 million to 17.1 million |
| Recognition by the Guatemalan Constitution | Yes |
| Number of Buddhists in Guatemala | 8,000 to 12,000 |
| Number of Jews in Guatemala | 1,200 to 2,000 |
| Number of Muslims in Guatemala | 1,200 to 2,000 |
| Number of Baháʼí people in Guatemala | 20,000 |
| Number of Spiritualists practitioners in Guatemala | 300,000 |
| Number of Quakers in Guatemala | 19,830 |
| Number of Orthodox Christians in Guatemala | Not found |
| Number of Protestants in Guatemala | 40% to 42% |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholicism is no longer Guatemala's official religion, but it is the only one recognised by the government
- There are approximately 7.7 million Catholics in Guatemala, which is around 45% of the population
- Protestantism has grown in Guatemala, with around 40-42% of the population identifying as Protestant
- Catholics and Protestants are present throughout the country, with adherents from all majority ethnic groups
- Mayan spiritual leaders have reported societal discrimination and harassment, including accusations of witchcraft
Catholicism is no longer Guatemala's official religion, but it is the only one recognised by the government
Catholicism was introduced to Guatemala during the colonial era (1519-1821) when Spain colonized the country. During this period, Catholicism was established as the country's official religion, and it remained so until Guatemala gained its independence from Spain in 1821.
Following independence, Guatemala transitioned to a democratically controlled government, and freedom of religion was enshrined in its constitution. As a result, Catholicism is no longer the official religion of Guatemala. However, it retains a significant presence in the country, and the Catholic Church is still recognized by the government.
According to various sources, the number of Catholics in Guatemala ranges from 45% to 46% of the total population, which equates to approximately 7.7 million people. This represents a decline in Catholic membership over the last few decades, with Protestantism now accounting for around 40-42% of the population, making Guatemala the most Protestant country in Latin America.
Despite the decline in Catholic membership, the Catholic Church remains the largest denomination or church in Guatemala. It is the only religion officially recognized by the Guatemalan government as a legal entity. This special status means that the Catholic Church enjoys certain privileges and tax exemptions that other religious groups do not.
While the Guatemalan Constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens, other religious groups must register as legal entities and apply for recognition by the government. This process includes submitting a copy of their bylaws and a list of initial membership to the Ministry of Government. This requirement applies to religious groups such as Protestants, Muslims, and practitioners of Mayan spirituality, who meet regularly at the Interreligious Dialogue at the Foro Guatemala to discuss social and political issues.
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There are approximately 7.7 million Catholics in Guatemala, which is around 45% of the population
Catholicism has a long history in Guatemala, dating back to the Spanish colonial era when it was introduced as the official religion in the 1500s. While it is no longer the official religion, it remains the largest denomination in the country, with approximately 7.7 million followers, according to one source. This accounts for around 45-46% of the population, though some sources put this figure at 42.4%. Guatemala has the largest number of Protestants in Latin America, with around 40-42% of the population, and this number is rising.
The Catholic Church in Guatemala is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, the Curia in Rome, and the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala. While the Guatemalan Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the Catholic Church is the only religion officially recognised by the government as a legal entity. Other religions must register with the government to receive recognition and tax-exempt status.
The practice of Catholicism in Guatemala is often intertwined with traditional Mayan cultural practices and beliefs. This phenomenon, known as "inculturation", sees Mayan practices incorporated into Catholic ceremonies and worship when they are sympathetic to Catholic beliefs. However, there have also been disputes between Catholics and indigenous Mayan people, particularly over land. Many Catholic churches were built on ancient Mayan sites during colonisation, and some priests do not allow the Mayan people to access this land.
In recent decades, the number of Catholics in Guatemala has declined, while Protestantism has grown. This shift began in 1959, after the Cuban Revolution, when the Holy See became aware of the increasing number of Protestant missionaries travelling to Latin America. In response, the Catholic Church sent more priests and missionaries to the region to increase the number of baptised Latinos. Despite these efforts, Protestantism continues to grow, and it is projected that Evangelicalism will surpass Catholicism as the dominant religion in Guatemala by 2030.
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Protestantism has grown in Guatemala, with around 40-42% of the population identifying as Protestant
Guatemala has a long history of Catholicism, dating back to the Spanish colonial era when it was introduced to the region in the 1500s. Catholicism was the official religion during this period and remained so until Guatemalan independence in 1821. Despite this historical dominance, Protestantism has been steadily growing in the country.
The first Protestant missionary, Frederick Crowe, arrived in Guatemala in 1843, but he was expelled in 1845 by the conservative President Rafael Carrera. It wasn't until 1882, under President Rufino Barrios, that Protestant missionaries were actively encouraged to come to Guatemala to challenge the power of the Catholic Church. This led to an influx of Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, and Pentecostal missionaries from the United States, resulting in a significant increase in Protestant converts.
Today, Guatemala has the largest number of Protestants in Latin America, with approximately 40-42% of the population identifying as Protestant. The largest Protestant denominations in the country are Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Baptists, and Episcopalians. The growth of Protestantism is particularly notable among the indigenous Mayan population, especially in the northern highlands.
While the Catholic Church remains the largest denomination or church in Guatemala, with approximately 45-46% of the population identifying as Catholic, there has been a notable decline in recent decades. This decline has been attributed to the increasing influence of Protestant missionaries and the blending of Catholic and Mayan spiritual practices in certain regions.
The religious landscape of Guatemala is diverse, with freedom of religion guaranteed by the constitution. While Catholicism holds a special status and is the only religion officially recognized by the government, other religious groups, including Protestants, Muslims, Buddhists, and indigenous Mayan spiritual practitioners, coexist and contribute to the country's rich cultural fabric.
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Catholics and Protestants are present throughout the country, with adherents from all majority ethnic groups
Catholicism was introduced to Guatemala during the period of Spanish colonial rule, which lasted from the early 1500s to 1821. During this time, it became the official religion of the country, and the majority of Guatemalans converted, often combining Christian beliefs with traditional Mayan cultural practices. This blending of Catholic and Mayan traditions and ceremonies continues to the present day, particularly in the eastern city of Livingston and the southern region of Guatemala, as well as in majority Catholic areas in the interior of the country.
In the present day, Guatemala has a special status for Catholicism under its constitution, and the Catholic Church is the only religious group officially recognised by the government as a legal entity. However, the country also guarantees freedom of religion, and other religious groups can receive recognition and tax-exempt status by registering with the Ministry of Government.
Catholics and Protestants are indeed present throughout Guatemala, with adherents from all majority ethnic groups, including the indigenous Mayan people. While Catholicism remains the largest denomination or church in the country, with around 42-46% of the population identifying as Catholic, Protestantism has been rapidly growing, and Guatemala now has the largest number of Protestants (around 40-42%) of any Latin American country. The largest Protestant denominations are Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Baptists, and Episcopalians.
The growth of Protestantism in Guatemala began in the mid-19th century, with the arrival of the first Protestant missionary, Frederick Crowe, in 1843. However, he was expelled in 1845. Protestant numbers remained small until 1882, when President Rufino Barrios, seeking to challenge the power of the Catholic Church, invited Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist missionaries to the country. The largest growth in Protestantism, however, came with the arrival of Pentecostal missionaries from the United States, who converted large numbers of Guatemalans.
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Mayan spiritual leaders have reported societal discrimination and harassment, including accusations of witchcraft
Guatemala has a long history of religious conflict, with Catholicism brought to the country during the Spanish colonisation of the Americas. The Catholic Church is the only religion recognised by the Guatemalan Constitution, but freedom of religion is also written into this constitution. Other religious groups must register as legal entities with the Ministry of Government to be recognised and participate in business.
Mayan spiritual practices often take place in natural places and objects, such as spots next to rocks or trees, which are considered sacred. Groups opposing these spiritual practices will congregate in these areas when ceremonies are taking place, effectively suppressing them. Mayan spiritual leaders have also reported that some evangelical Christian leaders create obstacles to restrict their ability to worship. For example, evangelical Christians have blocked access to sacred sites to deter Mayan spiritual practices and convert practitioners to evangelical Christianity.
Mayan spiritual leaders have called for an end to the criminalisation of spiritual guides and for the promotion of peaceful coexistence, as established by the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala. They demand that they be allowed to carry out their cultural and spiritual practices, promote Mayan cultural practices, and help solve problems.
As for the current religious landscape in Guatemala, approximately 45% of the population identify as Catholic, a decline from 55% in 2001. Protestantism has grown from 29.9% to 42% in the same period, making Guatemala the most Protestant country in Latin America. The Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy are also growing, especially among the indigenous Maya peoples.
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Frequently asked questions
There are approximately 7.7 million Catholics in Guatemala, which is about 46% of the total population of 17.1 million citizens. However, other sources place the percentage of Catholics in the country at 45% and 42.4%.
Yes, Catholicism was the official religion during the colonial era (1519-1821) and was re-established under the Concordat of 1854 until 1871. However, in recent decades, the number of Catholics has declined, and Protestantism has grown. Guatemala now contains the largest number of Protestants (approximately 40-42%) than any other Latin American country.
The decline in Catholicism in Guatemala is partly due to the increasing number of Protestant missionaries travelling to Latin America. In the mid-twentieth century, Catholic Guatemalans feared that Catholicism would become the minority to Protestantism, and many Catholics began converting to Protestantism.
