Rachel Evans
Peru is a secular state with a rich cultural heritage and a diverse religious scene. While the predominant religion is Roman Catholic, with over three-quarters of the population identifying as Catholic, the country also has a strong indigenous and traditional culture, with many people following indigenous beliefs and practices. This has resulted in a unique blend of religious syncretism, where Catholic and Andean religions have influenced each other and created a colourful and complex spiritual identity for the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Catholic population | 76% (2017 census), 81.3% (2007 census), 94.6% (1981 census), 98.5% (1940 census) |
| Percentage of population practicing Christianity | 93.8% |
| Percentage of population with no religion | 5.1% |
| Catholicism in schools | Mandatory in Peruvian public schools, but parents can request exemption |
| Catholicism in politics | Catholicism was made the state religion in the first Congress |
| Catholicism in marriage | Non-Catholics can marry in Peru, but divorce is not absolute and can only be nullified through ecclesiastical or ordinary courts |
| Secularism in Peru | Peru is considered a Secular state |
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What You'll Learn
Catholicism and Andean mythology
Peru is a secular state with a diverse religious scene, combining Roman Catholicism with Andean mythology and indigenous beliefs. The Constitution recognises the Catholic Church as an "important element in the historical, cultural and moral development of the nation", and it continues to enjoy certain political powers and privileges. However, in recent years, the percentage of believers has decreased, and different churches have gained prominence in the country, such as the evangelical church.
Catholicism was introduced to Peru in the 16th century by the Spanish, following the Spanish Conquest. The Spanish conquerors sought to convert the indigenous populations to Christianity, and the religious centre of Latin America was the viceroyalty of Peru, which encompassed most of the Incan Empire. The Spanish took advantage of the existing Incan tribute system and used missionaries to spread Catholicism, which allowed Christianity to spread rapidly in Latin America. However, the Spanish conquest did not completely destroy native culture or religion. Instead, it led to a rich cultural fusion, with Andean populations maintaining their indigenous identity and beliefs while adopting a Catholic façade.
The Andean people believe in a cosmology that sees the world as three planes: the upper world, this world, and the lower world. They worship Pachamama, the Earth Mother or Mother Earth, and have detailed rituals and offerings. They also worship the Apus, the protective spirit of the mountains, Inti, the sun god, and Killa, the moon. Many Catholic rituals in Peru contain expressions of worship to these Andean deities, and many processions in honour of the Saints originate from Andean ceremonies that pre-date the arrival of the Spanish. For example, during carnival, a celebration of both the coming of Lent in the Christian calendar and the coming of spring in the Incan calendar, a woman might spread flowers on the streets and doorsteps in honour of both the Virgin and Pachamama.
The Catholic Church in Peru holds sway over social, cultural, and political views and practices. The Constitution affirms that the State provides its "collaboration", and priests are largely paid by the state. Almost half of the educational centres are managed by priests or nuns, and Catholic religious symbols are present in all schools, police stations, and hospitals. Catholicism is taught as a mandatory subject in Peruvian public schools, although parents can request an exemption for their children. The Church also benefits from tax exemptions and receives subsidies from the government.
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Catholicism's influence on politics
Peru is a secular state, but Catholicism is the most widely professed religion in the country, with between 75% and 81.3% of the population identifying as Catholic. The country's constitution affirms that the state provides its "collaboration" to the Catholic Church, which benefits from tax exemptions, and priests are largely paid by the state. Almost half of the educational centres in Peru are managed by priests or nuns, and the subject of Roman Catholicism is mandatory in Peruvian public schools.
The Catholic Church in Peru enjoys significant influence, especially when compared to political institutions. For example, the Church's authorized voice holds sway over social, cultural, and political views and practices, and politicians seek a form of anointment from religious figures. The Church's alignment with certain cultural aspects of the prevailing macho mentality has contributed to justifying what is deemed a divine decree.
The Church's influence is also evident in legislation pivotal to the Catholic Church, such as laws concerning abortion and same-sex marriage, which are notably stricter compared to other countries in the region. The Church's power is further demonstrated in its ability to confront the government in Te Deum homilies, which are designed to influence and help rectify political decisions.
Historically, the Catholic Church in Peru has played a significant role in society and culture. During the colonial era, the Church's interests were closely intertwined with those of the state. After independence, the executive assumed the rights of patronage previously held by the viceroy, and the Catholic Church was recognized as the official church of the country. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Church worked to preserve and expand its presence and influence in Peruvian culture and society, with Catholic workers' circles promoted in various cities and the increased participation of laypersons in associations.
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Catholicism's influence on education
Peru is a secular state with freedom of religion, but its culture and politics are heavily influenced by Catholicism. According to various sources, between 75% and 81.3% of the population identifies as Catholic, though one source places the figure at 93.8%. The Catholic Church enjoys a privileged position in Peruvian society, with political power and influence over social and cultural views and practices. The Church receives state remuneration, benefits from tax exemptions, and manages almost half of the country's educational centres. Catholicism is also the only religion taught in public schools, where Catholic religious symbols are displayed.
The influence of Catholicism on education in Peru can be traced back to the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire in the 16th century. During the colonial rule that followed, the Catholic Church played a leading role in the country's education system. In 1551, the Church established the first university in the Western Hemisphere in Lima, the new colonial capital, now known as the National University of San Marcos. However, similar to the Incan system it replaced, Catholic education was largely reserved for the elite, preparing the Spanish aristocracy for leadership roles in the colonial administration and the church. The Indigenous population was largely excluded from this formal education system and continued to rely on oral traditions to transmit traditional knowledge.
Today, while the Peruvian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, it also mandates that all schools, public and private, impart religious education as part of the curriculum. Catholicism is the only religion taught in public schools, and parents can request exemption for their children. This preferential treatment of Catholicism in education is in accordance with an agreement signed with the Vatican in 1980, which grants the Catholic Church special status in Peru.
The influence of Catholicism in education extends beyond the classroom. Catholic religious symbols are prevalent in all government buildings and public places, including schools, police stations, and hospitals. The Virgin Mary and Christ are commonly displayed, reflecting the religious syncretism of Catholicism with ancient Inca religion and Andean mythology. Many Inca ceremonies are still practised today, such as the Inti Raymi and Qoylloriti, and Catholic rituals often incorporate worship of the Sun God Inti, Pachamama (Mother Earth), and other elements of nature.
Despite the prominent role of Catholicism in education, there are growing calls for change. Various non-profit organisations, such as the Secular Humanist Society of Peru, promote the removal of Catholicism as a mandatory subject in public schools. Additionally, Peru has seen a slow but consistent advance of irreligion, especially among young people in urban areas. The rise of other religions, such as Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, due to immigration, has also contributed to the religious diversity in the country.
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Catholicism's decline in Peru
Catholicism has been the dominant religion in Peru since it was introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century. In the 1850s, however, the relationship between the Peruvian government and the Catholic Church began to break down as certain members of the Peruvian oligarchy took up the causes of liberalism and positivism. As relations between Church and State became increasingly secular, religious fervor in the country declined.
The 2017 census reported that 76% of Peru's population identified as Catholic, a decrease from 81% in 2007 and 94.6% in 1981. The decline in Catholicism is accompanied by a rise in other religions, particularly evangelical Protestantism, which made up 14% of the population in 2017, up from 13% in 2007. The growth of evangelical churches in Peru can be attributed to the efforts of evangelical leaders who promoted Alberto Fujimori during the 1990 Peruvian general election and were members of his political party, Cambio 90.
The Peruvian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and the government has demonstrated its commitment to advancing religious freedom and the fair and equal treatment of all religious beliefs before the law. This has resulted in the registration of numerous non-Catholic religious groups in the country. The slow but consistent advance of irreligion, especially among young people in urban areas, has also contributed to the decline of Catholicism in Peru.
While the Catholic Church still holds sway over social, cultural, and political views and practices in Peru, its influence has been gradually diminishing. The Church has supported many of the government's reforms, such as universal education and land redistribution, but it has also maintained a certain distance from the government, at times being accused of being too radical. The images of the Virgin and Christ are present in all schools, police stations, and hospitals, and priests are largely paid by the state. However, the mandatory nature of the subject of Roman Catholicism in Peruvian public schools has been contested by many non-profit organizations, such as the Secular Humanist Society of Peru.
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Catholicism and immigration
Peru is a secular state with freedom of religion, but the Catholic Church remains a powerful institution with a significant influence on society, culture, and politics. Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity, the most widely professed religion in the country. Between 75% and 81.3% of the population identifies as Catholic, although the 2017 census reports a lower figure of 76% for those aged 12 and above.
The Catholic Church enjoys institutional privileges in Peru, including preferential treatment in education, tax benefits, and immigration for religious workers, as outlined in an agreement with the Vatican signed in 1980. The Church also receives state remuneration, with clergy and laypersons receiving additional stipends from the government, and Catholic priests and bishops are exempt from income taxes on their work-related earnings. The subject of Roman Catholicism is mandatory in Peruvian public schools, although parents can request an exemption for their children.
Immigration has played a role in the religious landscape of Peru, with the presence of religions such as Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam due to immigration. Peru has seen an influx of immigrants from neighbouring countries such as Bolivia, Chile, and Venezuela, with around 1.6 million Venezuelans estimated to be living in the country. The Catholic Church in Peru faces challenges in reaching and supporting these immigrant communities, especially in remote regions.
The country also has a history of immigration that has influenced the religious landscape. Japanese, Chinese, and Korean immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries introduced Mahayana Buddhism to Peru, and followers of this tradition remain largely concentrated within these ethnic groups.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Peru is a secular state.
Christianity is the most widely professed religion in Peru, with Catholicism being its largest denomination.
According to the 2017 census, 76% of Peru's population is Catholic. However, other sources state that the percentage of Catholics in Peru falls between 75% and 81.3%.
Religions such as Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam are present in Peru due to immigration. Protestant churches of various denominations have also developed considerably in the country over the past 30 years.
The Catholic Church enjoys a privileged position in Peru. The Peruvian Constitution recognises the Catholic Church as "an important element in the historical, cultural and moral development of the nation". The Church receives stipends and remuneration from the state and Catholic clergy are largely paid by the state. Catholic religious symbols are also present in government buildings and public places.
