Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church is the world's largest Christian church, and its largest religious grouping. According to the 2020 census, Mexico had approximately 97 million Catholics, making up 78% of the population. To become Catholic, one must receive the three sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. In Mexico, many Catholics also practice a unique version of Catholicism that includes pre-Hispanic traditions. For example, the Day of the Dead holiday derives from the pre-Hispanic custom of venerating death and the dead, but modern altars typically include pictures of the Virgin Mary and rosaries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion in Mexico | 77.7% of Mexicans practiced Catholicism in 2020, according to the census. |
| Becoming Catholic | One can become Catholic through the three sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. |
| Syncretism | Many Mexican Catholics practice a unique version of Catholicism that includes pre-Hispanic traditions, such as the Day of the Dead. |
| Secularism | There is a growth of secularism in Mexico, alongside other religious groups such as Protestant evangelicals and Mormons. |
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What You'll Learn
Understand the history of the Catholic Church in Mexico
The history of the Catholic Church in Mexico is a long and complex one, dating back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. During this time, the Catholic Church played a significant role in the spiritual conquest of the indigenous population, with missionaries often using forced conversion and violence to subjugate the native people. The Spanish conquistadors destroyed symbols of indigenous religions and replaced them with traditional Catholic imagery, building churches on top of destroyed temples. The fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521 is often considered a turning point in the spread of Catholicism in Mexico, with the arrival of the Twelve Apostles, a group of Franciscan friars, in 1524. However, it is important to note that the indigenous people of Mexico did not always passively accept the new religion, and there were instances of resistance and rebellion.
In the colonial era, known as New Spain, the Catholic Church enjoyed a privileged position as the sole permissible church. During this time, the Church became directly involved in politics, advocating for its own interests and power. The growth of the Spanish and mixed-race urban population led to the establishment of the episcopal hierarchy and the creation of dioceses in Mexico. However, the indigenous population was not allowed to join the priesthood, and the highest religious position they could attain was that of fiscal, who assisted the priest.
Mexican independence in 1821 marked another significant turning point for the Catholic Church in the country. The Plan of Iguala, which articulated the vision of an independent Mexico, maintained the Catholic Church as the exclusive religious institution. The Church hierarchy supported independence, as they expected to maintain their power and privileges. The Constituent Assembly, which included priests, swore an oath to uphold the exclusivity of Catholicism in Mexico, demonstrating the continued influence of the Church in the new sovereign state.
However, in the mid-19th century, the liberal Reform movement brought about major changes in church-state relations. Liberal politicians sought to reduce the power of the Church and challenged its involvement in politics. This led to a period of violent conflict between conservative supporters of the old order and liberals. The Mexican Revolution was ultimately won by the anticlerical Constitutionalists, and the Church's role was restricted by the new constitution.
In the late 20th century, there was a resurgence of Catholic influence in Mexico, with the establishment of religious educational institutions and the creation of conservative political parties. While the 1992 constitution reiterated the separation of church and state, it also lifted many restrictions on religious freedom and the activities of the Catholic Church.
Today, Mexico is the second-largest Catholic country in the world, with approximately 78% of the population identifying as Catholic. However, many Mexicans practice a unique version of Catholicism that incorporates pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs. The Day of the Dead, for example, is a famous Mexican holiday that combines Catholic and pre-Hispanic elements.
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Learn about the unique Mexican version of Catholicism
Catholicism in Mexico is unique due to its historical roots in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire during the period of 1519-1521. This conquest saw the destruction of indigenous culture and the forced conversion of the indigenous population to Catholicism. As a result, Mexican Catholicism today is heavily syncretized with Aztec, Mayan, and other pre-Columbian religions and folk customs. Many Mexicans see Catholicism as part of their identity and cultural heritage, passed down through families, although not all Catholics in Mexico are strictly observant.
The Virgin of Guadalupe, or La Virgen de Guadalupe, is a cultural symbol unique to Mexico. She is depicted as a darker-skinned Virgin Mary, speaking in the native Aztec language, and is believed to be the "mother" of all Mexicans. Mexicans often have shrines in their homes where they pray to an image of her, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in her honour, is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world.
The Day of the Dead is another famous Mexican tradition that combines pre-Hispanic customs with Catholic beliefs. Altars include pictures of the Virgin Mary and rosaries, and the day itself is a beautiful celebration where ancestors and loved ones are believed to visit from the land of the dead.
In addition, many Mexicans believe in concepts such as the evil eye, reincarnation, magic, sorcery, and witchcraft, which are not typically associated with Catholicism.
Finally, it is worth noting that while Mexico does not have an official religion, Roman Catholicism is the dominant faith, practised by around 77-78% of the population as of 2020. The country is divided into 18 Ecclesiastical provinces with a total of 90 dioceses and over 15,000 diocesan priests.
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Discover how to become Catholic
The Catholic Church is the world's largest Christian church and, according to the 2020 census, Mexico had around 97 million Catholics, making it the second-largest Catholic country globally. The dominant religion in Mexico, it is practised by 77.7% of the population, according to the Mexican census.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The RCIA is the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. This process involves adults and children over the age of seven who are unbaptised and want to enter the Catholic Church. Preparation for reception into the Church is important and will depend on the individual's circumstances. The RCIA process begins with the inquiry stage, where the unbaptised person learns about the Catholic faith and decides whether to embrace it. The first formal step is the 'rite of reception' into the 'order of catechumens', where the unbaptised express their desire to become Christians. The catechumenate period follows, which lasts less than a year and provides a thorough background in Christian teaching. The second formal step is the 'rite of election', where the catechumens' names are written in a book of those who will receive the sacraments of initiation.
The Sacraments of Initiation
A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through the three sacraments of Christian initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. One becomes a Catholic at baptism, and this is true for children who are baptised (and receive confirmation and the Eucharist later) and for adults who are baptised, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist at the same time. Those who have been validly baptised outside the Catholic Church become Catholics by making a profession of the Catholic faith, followed by confirmation and the Eucharist.
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Explore Mexican Catholic festivals
Mexico is a predominantly Catholic country, with approximately 78% of the population identifying as Catholic. This dominant religion has shaped the country's cultural heritage and traditions, resulting in a rich array of religious festivals and celebrations throughout the year.
One of the most well-known Mexican Catholic festivals is Dia de Muertos or Day of the Dead. This festival, far from contradicting Catholic beliefs, is considered by many Mexicans to be a form of inculturation, assimilating and purifying pagan traditions with Catholic values. During this time, Mexicans honour their ancestors and loved ones who they believe can visit from the land of the dead. Altars are adorned with candies and offerings to welcome the spirits. While this festival may seem contradictory, it is rooted in the Catholic belief of honouring ancestors and praying for their souls, which is a common thread in many Catholic festivals worldwide.
Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday, is another significant Catholic tradition in Mexico. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are particularly important days during this week-long holiday. On Maundy Thursday, Mexicans participate in the "Visit of the Seven Houses," where they visit and pray in seven different churches, commemorating the stops Jesus made before his death. Good Friday is marked by processions and special prayer services, as well as elaborate recreations of Jesus' death through Passion plays, attracting thousands of locals and tourists alike.
Other notable Mexican Catholic festivals include Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe, celebrated on December 12th, which commemorates the Virgin Mary's appearance to a man named Juan Diego in Mexico City in 1531. There are also Christmas traditions such as posadas, where Mexicans reenact Joseph and Mary's search for shelter before Jesus' birth, singing traditional songs and enjoying food and drinks.
In addition to these religious festivals, Mexico also celebrates civic and statutory holidays, such as Mexican Navy Day on November 23rd and Constitution Day on the first Monday in February, marking the enactment of the country's constitution in 1917. These festivals showcase the diverse cultural and historical aspects of Mexican society, blending Catholic traditions with national pride and historical events.
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Examine the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Mexican state
The relationship between the Catholic Church and the Mexican state has been complex and often strained, with periods of cooperation and conflict. The Catholic Church is the largest Christian church in the world, and Mexico is the second-largest Catholic country in the world, with approximately 78% of the population identifying as Catholic in 2020. This dominance of Catholicism in Mexico dates back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire from 1519 to 1521, when the Catholic Church began its efforts to evangelize the indigenous population, resulting in the syncretism of Catholic beliefs with Aztec, Mayan, and other pre-Columbian religions.
During the colonial era, known as New Spain, the Catholic Church enjoyed a privileged position, with only Catholics recognized as citizens. However, this changed in the 1850s with the rise of liberal forces and the reform laws enacted by indigenous President Benito Juárez. These laws confiscated church properties, subordinated church courts, and restricted the public attire of priests. The Church responded by supporting conservative efforts to bring in an Austrian emperor, backed by French forces, leading to further conflict.
The Mexican Revolution of 1910 further strained the relationship between the Church and the state, as the country's new leaders sought to restrict the Church's influence through anticlerical constitutional measures. This period saw the emergence of the National Action Party, a conservative and pro-Catholic political group. Despite these tensions, the Church continued to play a significant role in Mexican society, particularly through its involvement in education and charity work inspired by Catholic social doctrine.
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, under the presidency of Avila Camacho, the Church and the state moved towards a period of conciliation, recognizing the mutual damage caused by conflict. This era saw a significant increase in the number of functioning churches, seminaries, and priests, coinciding with Mexico's rapid urbanization. However, it was not until 1992 that a new constitutional framework was established, formally separating the Catholic Church and the state and lifting most restrictions on religious freedom and Church activities.
While the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Mexican state has been marked by historical tensions and a constitutional separation, the Church continues to hold significant influence in Mexico, with millions of Mexicans expressing devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and participating in religious pilgrimages.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2020 census, 77.7% of Mexico's population practices Roman Catholicism, making it the dominant religion in the country.
A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through the reception of the three sacraments of Christian initiation—baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. The process by which one becomes a Catholic can take different forms. One becomes a Catholic at baptism and their initiation is deepened by confirmation and the Eucharist.
The history of the Catholic Church in Mexico dates back to the period of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire (1519–1521). During this time, there was a significant effort to evangelize the indigenous population of Mexico, which involved destroying symbols of indigenous religions and replacing them with traditional Catholic imagery.
Mexican Catholicism often includes pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs. For example, the Day of the Dead holiday in Mexico originates from the pre-Hispanic custom of venerating death and the dead, but modern altars often include pictures of the Virgin Mary and rosaries. Additionally, many Mexican Catholics report engagement with indigenous beliefs such as the evil eye, reincarnation, and magic.
