Joshua Bennett
Costa Rica is a country with a rich religious landscape, with Catholicism as its official state religion. This Central American nation has a diverse range of faiths, including Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and various Christian denominations. While the majority of Costa Ricans identify as Catholic, the country also upholds religious freedom, as guaranteed by its constitution. The role of religion in Costa Rica's public life and politics is significant, with Christian values influencing language, holidays, and traditions. The country's religious diversity has been shaped by migratory waves, bringing faiths such as Buddhism, Judaism, and Anglicanism to its shores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official religion | Catholicism |
| Religious freedom | Guaranteed by the Constitution |
| Religious demographics | 47% Catholic, 27% no religious affiliation, 19% evangelical Christian, 1% other Protestant, 6% no response, 2.7% other |
| Religious diversity | Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Lutheranism, Baháʼí, Anglicanism, Indigenous faiths, and others |
| Religious education | Catholic instruction is given in public schools, but not mandatory |
| Church and state | The government contributes to maintaining the Catholic Church |
| Secularizing measures | Expulsion of religious orders, secularization of education and cemeteries, legalization of divorce and civil marriage |
| Religious influence | Religion influences language, holidays, traditions, and daily life |
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What You'll Learn
Catholicism is the official religion of Costa Rica
The country's religious landscape has become more diverse over time, with the arrival of faiths such as Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism, as well as newer movements like Wicca and Luciferianism. Despite this increasing diversity, Catholicism remains deeply ingrained in Costa Rica's culture and daily life. Expressions of faith are common, with phrases like "If God wishes it" and "God bless" used frequently. Religious icons and symbols are displayed in homes, gardens, and vehicles, and religious jewellery is worn by many.
Catholic instruction is provided in public schools, though it is not mandatory. The Supreme Court of Costa Rica has annulled the Church's authority over the employment of teachers who deliver religious instruction. Students seeking exemption from religious education must have an alternative form of instruction agreed upon by their teacher, parents, and school director.
The Catholic Church has historically held a privileged position in Costa Rica, influencing politics and public opinion. However, there have been efforts to separate church and state, including secularising measures such as the expulsion of Jesuits and the secularisation of education. The country's first Theosophical Society, founded in 1902, promoted religious diversity by spreading Buddhist ideas among the intellectual elite.
While Costa Rica remains an officially Catholic country, the share of Catholics has declined over time. A 2021 study found that approximately 47% of the population identified as Catholic, with a notable increase in those with no religious affiliation (27%). Despite this shift, the majority of Costa Ricans continue to support the country's confessional status, and proposals to reform the constitutional articles establishing Catholicism as the state religion have not been a priority.
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Religious freedom is guaranteed by the Costa Rican constitution
While Costa Rica is a predominantly Catholic country, religious freedom is guaranteed by the Costa Rican constitution. The constitution recognises the right to practice the religion of one's choice. Article 75 of the constitution states that the "Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Religion is the official religion of the Republic." However, it also provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right in practice. Religious groups with at least ten members can register with the government to gain certain privileges, but registration is not mandatory, and there is no penalty for not registering.
The constitution prohibits the state from impeding the free exercise of religions that do not impugn "universal morality or proper behaviour." It also provides for redress in cases of alleged violations of religious freedom. Individuals claiming a violation of religious freedom may file a suit with the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court or appeal to the Administrative Court to sue the government for discriminatory acts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship is responsible for managing the government's relationship with the Catholic Church and other religious groups.
Despite the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, there have been some complaints and lawsuits regarding religious discrimination. For example, there was a case of a student not being allowed to reschedule an exam that fell on a Saturday due to their religious beliefs. Additionally, Catholic instruction is offered in public schools, and while it is not mandatory, there have been complaints about the lack of alternative instruction for students who opt-out.
Costa Rica's religious landscape has become more diverse over time, with the arrival of new religious movements and an increase in migration. The country has also seen a rise in secularism, with a growing number of people identifying as having no religious affiliation. While Catholicism remains the official state religion, the government generally upholds religious freedom and respects the right to practice different faiths.
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Catholic instruction is given to children in public schools
Catholicism is the official religion of Costa Rica, and it is the predominant religion in the country, with the majority of Costa Ricans identifying as Roman Catholic. The country's constitution grants freedom of religion and the freedom to practice religion is guaranteed in Article 75 of the Costa Rica Constitution. However, the same article also establishes the Catholic religion as the state religion and requires the government to contribute to its maintenance. This unique situation has resulted in a complex relationship between church and state in Costa Rica, with Catholic instruction being offered in public schools.
While Catholic instruction is provided in public schools, it is not mandatory, and students can opt-out with the agreement of their teacher, parents, and the school director. If a student chooses to opt-out, an alternative form of instruction must be provided during the time allotted for religious education. This has been a source of contention for some religious leaders, as it can be difficult to provide alternative instruction due to a lack of resources. Additionally, there have been complaints that the process of opting out can be cumbersome, sometimes requiring a letter from the child's religious leader.
The model of religious instruction in schools has evolved over time in Costa Rica. In the 19th century, the dominant model was that "religion is a private matter," which has now been largely abandoned. This was followed by the “religious instruction should be given at home" model, which is still preferred by many parents and teachers. However, since the 1940s, the "religious instruction should be given at school" model has dominated, with Catholicism being the only religion taught in public schools.
The inclusion of religious education in the curriculum has been a subject of debate in Costa Rica, with some arguing that it violates freedom of religion. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards inclusive education, with schools teaching about different religions and beliefs, including atheism and agnosticism. The increase in agnostic and atheist students has led to discussions about the role of religious education in public schools, with some legislators voting on whether to eliminate it entirely.
While Costa Rica's constitution establishes Catholicism as the state religion, it also upholds the freedom to practice other religions as long as they do not interfere with commonly accepted moral standards. This balance between maintaining the Catholic Church and respecting religious freedom has been a delicate one, as evidenced by several lawsuits filed in the Supreme Court based on religious discrimination. As Costa Rica continues to become more religiously diverse, the role of the Catholic Church in education and other aspects of public life will likely remain a topic of ongoing discussion and evolution.
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Religious diversity in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country with a rich religious diversity, with the majority of its population identifying as Roman Catholic. It is the only state in the Americas with a state religion, and one of the few Western countries to have established Catholicism as its official religion. This status is protected by the country's constitution, which also guarantees freedom of religion.
The religious landscape of Costa Rica has been shaped by various factors over the years, including historical influences and migration. The country has a long history of Catholicism, with the religion being introduced during the colonial era and later established as the state religion in 1847. Catholic instruction is given to children in public schools, although it is not mandatory. Town names often begin with "San" or "Santa", and expressions such as "If God wishes it" and "God bless" are commonly used. Every city has a Catholic church, and many Costa Ricans wear religious jewellery and display religious icons in their homes and vehicles.
However, Costa Rica has also experienced an influx of different religious groups, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Migratory waves brought religious diversity to the country, including Polish Jews, Maronite Lebanese, Chinese Buddhists, Anglican Jamaicans, and large Lutheran communities. The country also has a small population of religious minorities such as Quakers, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, and followers of Islam, Taoism, and the Baha'i Faith. Buddhism is the largest non-Christian religion, with around 100,000 members.
In recent years, Costa Rica has seen the emergence of alternative and new religious movements, including Hare Krishna, Tibetan Buddhism, Wicca, and Neo-Druidism. The country's religious diversity continues to evolve, with the first groups of Luciferians arriving in the early 21st century. Additionally, the ruling of the Inter-American Human Rights Court mandating the legalization of same-sex marriage in Costa Rica has had religious implications, with conservative voters turning to a non-Catholic candidate.
While Catholicism remains the predominant religion, the share of Catholics has declined over time. A 2021 study found that approximately 47% of the population identified as Catholic, while 27% had no religious affiliation. The country's religious landscape is dynamic, with a range of faiths and beliefs coexisting and contributing to the rich cultural fabric of Costa Rica.
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Secularising measures and near-civil war with the Catholic Church
Catholicism is the predominant religion in Costa Rica, with the country's constitution recognising Roman Catholicism as the state religion. The constitution also requires the state to contribute to the Catholic Church's maintenance. Despite this, the government generally upholds religious freedom in practice.
Costa Rica has experienced political violence and civil unrest in the past, but no conflict has reached the severity of the Costa Rican Civil War, which took place from 12 March to 24 April 1948. The conflict was triggered by the 1948 presidential elections, in which opposition candidate Otilio Ulate defeated the incumbent Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia. Pro-government representatives in the Legislative Assembly alleged that Ulate's victory was fraudulent and voted to annul the election results, leading to an armed uprising led by José Figueres Ferrer.
In the years leading up to the civil war, Costa Rica experienced increasing political polarisation and social unrest. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, a devout Catholic and capitalist, was elected president in 1940, during a period of rising populism and economic challenges. While World War II raged elsewhere, Costa Rica faced a housing shortage and struggled to keep pace with the industrial marketplace.
During Calderón's presidency, Costa Rica formed an alliance with the Catholic Church, which included the reinstatement of several secularist laws, such as the authorisation to form private religious schools. However, this alliance and the implementation of secularising measures, such as the expulsion of the Jesuits and the secularisation of education, almost led to a civil war with the Catholic Church. This was avoided due to the election of José Joaquín Rodríguez Zeledón, and Costa Rica's Democracy Day commemorates this peaceful resolution.
In recent years, Costa Rica has continued to grapple with the role of religion in the state. In 2018, the subject of religion was prominently featured in a presidential campaign for the first time since 1889. The Inter-American Human Rights Court's ruling to legalise same-sex marriage in Costa Rica sparked a backlash from conservative voters, with progressive and liberal voters supporting the young moderate Catholic candidate, Carlos Alvarado Quesada, who advocated for church-state separation and other secularising measures.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholicism is the official religion of Costa Rica.
The percentage of Costa Ricans who identify as Catholic varies depending on the source. One source states that over 60% of Costa Ricans identify as Catholic, while another source puts this figure at 47%. A 2017 survey by the Center for Research and Political Studies (CIEP) found that 70% of Costa Ricans identified as Catholic.
Yes, Costa Rica has religious diversity. Approximately 17% of the population identify as evangelical Protestants, and there are also small populations of Jews, Quakers, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, members of the Unification Church, Muslims, Taoists, Baháʼís, and others. Buddhism is the largest non-Christian religion, with around 100,000 members.
Catholic instruction is given to children in public schools, but it is not mandatory. If a student wishes to be exempted from religious instruction, an alternative form of instruction must be agreed upon by the student's teacher, parents, and the school director.
