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.
The Church of San Sebastián was built in
1544 and is one of the oldest buildings in Lima. Santa Rosa de Lima (the
patron saint of Lima) and San Martín de Porres (the first black saint)
were baptized here. After the massive earthquake from 1940 that damaged
the small church severely, it was beautifully rebuild. Worth seeing are
the baptismal font made of marble and the ornaments of the richly
decorated altar from Granada.
