Michael Brooks
Mexico is predominantly Catholic, with around 78% of the population practicing Catholicism, according to the 2020 census. This makes Mexico one of the countries with the largest Catholic populations in the world, second only to Brazil. The dominance of the Catholic Church in Mexico has been steadily declining over the last century, with the growth of other Christian denominations and a rise in non-believers. Despite this, Mexico remains a highly religious country, with Catholicism deeply ingrained in its cultural landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Catholics in Mexico | 77.7% or 78% (2020 census); 77.8% (other source); 81% (adults, 2014); 98.8 million citizens (approx.); 72.1% (other source) |
| Rank in the world | 2nd largest Catholic country in the world |
| Number of Catholics | 97,864,220 (2020 census); 90,224,559 (another source); 76 million (approx.) |
| Percentage of Mexicans who were raised Catholic but no longer identify as such | 10% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic but disagree with Church teachings on gay marriage | 50% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and agree with Church teachings on gay marriage | 42% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and believe homosexuality is morally wrong | 55% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and believe sex outside marriage is morally wrong | 45% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and believe divorce is morally wrong | 32% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and believe contraception is morally wrong | 28% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and believe priests should be allowed to marry | 31% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and believe women should be allowed to become priests | 31% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and have a positive opinion of Pope Francis | 86% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and believe his election was a "major change" | 48% |
| Percentage of Catholics in Latin America | 69% (2014) |
| Percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic and believe indigenous languages should be used during Mass | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity in Mexico
The history of the Catholic Church in Mexico dates back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire from 1519 to 1521, when it was introduced by Spanish missionaries. During the colonial period, known as New Spain, the Catholic Church was the only permissible church in the country. In the mid-19th century, Mexican liberals curtailed the exclusive standing of the church, allowing Protestant missionaries, mainly from the United States, to legally evangelize in Mexico. Since then, the percentage of Catholics in Mexico has steadily declined, falling from 99% in 1910 to 77.7% in 2020, with a particularly marked decline during the 1980s. This decrease is partly due to the growth of other Christian denominations, such as various Protestant churches, Jehovah's Witness, and Mormonism, as well as some people leaving organized religion altogether. Despite this, Mexico remains a highly religious country, and central Mexico is still one of the most Catholic areas in the world.
Catholicism is deeply ingrained in Mexico's culture and traditions. The country celebrates major Christian holidays such as Epiphany, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day or the Day of the Dead, and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Additionally, there are roadside shrines, spectacular cathedrals, and traditional Catholic Holy Week processions. The Catholic Church in Mexico is also known for its syncretism with folk customs and indigenous religions, including Aztec and Mayan beliefs.
While the Mexican state is secular and guarantees freedom of religion, the Catholic Church continues to exert influence in the country. Catholic community representatives, called mayordomos, hold religious, political, and cultural influence at the local level. The Church has also been active in politics and social activism, with religious leaders often involved in these areas. However, this has made them more vulnerable to violence, and Mexico has been identified as the most violent country for priests in Latin America.
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The percentage of Catholics in Mexico is declining
Mexico is predominantly Catholic, with around 78% of the population practising Catholicism as of the 2020 census. This makes Mexico the country with the second-largest number of Catholics in the world, second only to Brazil. However, the percentage of Catholics in Mexico is declining.
Historically, the Catholic Church in Mexico has been the oldest established church, dating back to the early sixteenth century. At independence, Catholicism was the only permissible religion in the country. However, in the mid-nineteenth century, Mexican liberals curtailed the exclusive standing of the church, allowing Protestant missionaries, mainly from the United States, to legally evangelize in Mexico. Since then, other Christian denominations have grown in Mexico, including various Protestant churches, Jehovah's Witness, Mormonism, and folk religions such as Mexicayotl.
The decline in the percentage of Catholics in Mexico can be attributed to the growth of these other religious denominations. While the conversion rate to non-Catholic denominations is lower than in Central America, the number of Mexican Catholics has still decreased significantly over time. Between 1910 and 2020, the percentage of Catholics in Mexico dropped from 99% to 77.7%. In the first decade of the 21st century alone, the number of Mexican Catholics fell by 5%.
In addition to religious conversions, other factors contributing to the decline in Catholicism include violence against religious leaders and digital extortion. Mexico has been identified as the most violent country for priests in Latin America, with high rates of extortion and threats against priests reported. Furthermore, the Catholic Church in Mexico has faced restrictions and a separation between church and state, which may have impacted its influence and reach.
Despite the decline, Mexico remains a highly religious country, with Christianity as the predominant religion, comprising 91.3% of the population. Catholicism still holds significant influence, particularly in rural areas and towns, and Catholic traditions continue to permeate Mexico's cultural landscape.
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Mexico has the world's second-largest Catholic population
The history of the Catholic Church in Mexico dates back to the early 16th century during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. It was established as the only permissible church in Mexico at independence, and it has continued as an institution into the 21st century. While Mexico is a secular country that has allowed freedom of religion since the mid-19th century, Catholicism remains deeply ingrained in the country's culture and traditions.
In recent decades, the percentage of Catholics in Mexico has been declining, due to the growth of other Christian denominations and some people leaving organized religion altogether. However, the decline in Catholicism has been less pronounced in Mexico compared to other Central American countries. For instance, in 2014, 81% of adults in Mexico identified as Catholic, while in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras, only half of adults or fewer identified as Catholic.
Despite the overall decline in Catholicism, Mexico remains a highly religious country, with Christianity as the predominant religion, comprising 91.3% of the population. Major festivities in Mexico celebrate Christian holidays such as Epiphany, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day or the Day of the Dead, and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. These religious traditions are deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Mexico, with religion permeating both the physical and cultural landscape of the country.
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Mexican Catholics' views on church teachings
Catholicism is the dominant religion in Mexico, with around 77.7% to 81% of the population identifying as Catholic in recent years. This makes Mexico the second-largest Catholic country in the world after Brazil. However, the percentage of Catholics in Mexico has been declining, with the growth of other Christian denominations and a rise in non-believers. Despite this, Mexico remains a highly religious country, with religion permeating its physical and cultural landscape.
The history of the Catholic Church in Mexico dates back to the period of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. During this time, the Church played a role in the "spiritual conquest" of the indigenous population, often using forced conversion, destruction, and violence to subjugate the native people. Despite this tumultuous history, many Mexicans today practice a unique version of Catholicism that incorporates pre-Hispanic traditions. For example, the famous Day of the Dead holiday derives from pre-Hispanic customs but now includes Catholic imagery such as pictures of the Virgin Mary and rosaries. Additionally, about half of Mexican Catholics report "medium" to "high" levels of engagement with indigenous beliefs and practices, such as belief in the evil eye, reincarnation, and witchcraft.
In terms of specific church teachings, Mexican Catholics hold more traditional views compared to Mexican-American Catholics. For example, only about one-third of Mexican Catholics favor changes to church policy on the priesthood, such as allowing priests to marry or women to become priests. In contrast, nearly half of Mexican-American Catholics support these changes. However, there are also areas of similarity between the two groups, such as their attendance at Mass and their support for reversing the church's teaching on the use of artificial birth control.
The relationship between the Catholic Church and the Mexican state has undergone changes throughout history. Following independence in the early 19th century, Mexico established a legal framework that continued the privileged status of the Catholic Church as the official and unique religion. However, in the mid-19th century, liberal reforms curtailed the exclusive standing of the Church, and the Mexican Revolution further restricted its role constitutionally. In 1992, a new constitutional framework was created, reiterating the separation between church and state and lifting most restrictions on religious freedom.
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Catholics in Mexico celebrate Christian holidays like Epiphany and All Saints' Day
Mexico has the second-largest number of Catholics in the world, with 90,224,559 Catholics as of the latest census in 2020, representing around 78% of the total population. In central Mexico, Catholics make up more than two-thirds of the population, and it remains one of the most Catholic areas in the world.
Epiphany
On January 6, Mexicans celebrate the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day or El Día de los Reyes Magos in Spanish. This day commemorates the arrival of the Magi or "Wise Men" who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. Mexicans celebrate this day by exchanging gifts, and children receive presents from the Three Kings. Families and friends gather to drink hot chocolate or atole and eat Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread with candied fruit and a figurine of baby Jesus inside. The person who finds the figurine in their bread is expected to host a party on Candlemas, celebrated on February 2.
All Saints' Day
All Saints' Day is celebrated on November 1 in Mexico and is followed by All Souls' Day on November 2. These days are dedicated to honouring the dead, with people visiting cemeteries and churches to offer prayers, flowers, and candles at the graves of their loved ones. Families also build private altars at home, adorned with pictures, candles, and flowers, as well as sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favourite foods and beverages of the departed. The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to indigenous cultures and rituals that are thousands of years old.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2020 census, 78% of Mexicans identify as Catholic. However, other sources put this number at 77.7% or 77.8%.
The percentage of Mexicans who identify as Catholic has been declining in recent decades. In 1910, 99% of Mexicans were Catholic. This fell to 98.2% in 1950, 92.6% in 1980, 87.9% in 2000, and 82.7% in 2010.
Mexico has the second-largest number of Catholics in the world, after Brazil. However, when looking at the percentage of the population that is Catholic, Mexico has a higher percentage than Brazil (Mexico: 78%, Brazil: 54.2%).
