Christianity in peru

Peru Religion is varied and multiple. Christianity in Peru religion is a heritage of the Spanish conquest and for this cause Peru is chiefly a Catholic country. Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Peru.

When the Spanish came to Peru during early 1530s the Catholic religion was also brought by them. Many Protestant churches and cathedrals are found in Peru.

According to the estimation of the year 2003 Peruvian Religion comprised of the following:

81 % Roman Catholicism 1% Seventh-Day Adventist 1% other Christian 16 % unspecified

The prevailing religion in Peru is Roman Catholicism. In the culture and society of Peru, Roman Catholicism plays an important role.

Among Peru's population approximately 80% people are Roman Catholic. Apart from Roman Catholicism the other religions found in Peru are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhism, etc.

Peru has a population of approximately 27.2 million. Some of the major religious communities of Peru are-

• The Roman Catholic
• Several Protestant appellations
• Seventh-day Adventist
• Jehovah's Witnesses
• The Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints

According to the estimation of the year 2006 Peru Religion comprised of-

• 85 % Roman Catholic
• 11 % Evangelical
• Remaining 4 % comprised Adventists, Jehovah's witnesses, Israelites of the New Universal Pact and Mormons.

History of Christianity

Following the demise of the Inca Empire, Roman Catholicism was introduced. In 1536 the Diocese of Cuzco was formed and in 1541, the Diocese of Lima. Peru became the focal point for Catholicism in South America, and Lima was made the Metropolitan See for the area from Chile to Nicaragua. Catholicism became the official state religion in 1845. The first Protestant missionaries were agents of the Bible Societies who began efforts in 1877. They were followed by the Brethren Assemblies (1896), Regions Beyond Missionary Union (1897), Evangelical Union of South America (1911), and Christian and Missionary Alliance (1933). Out of these four missions emerged the Peruvian Evangelical Church Iglesia Evangelica Peruana (IEP). Wycliffe Bible Translators entered in 1946.
The land reforms of 1968-1977 have brought great change in gospel receptivity among the Quechuas. Many were lifted from literal serfdom to a position of land ownership. This status change has caused many to consider the gospel for the first time. Much work remains to be done among the peoples of the remote interior. Many Spanish-speaking mestizos come from lower and middle class backgrounds but are pursuing upward mobility through education. These people are aware of the evangelical presence and are not resistant to the Gospel.