Identification with Catholicism has declined throughout the Latin American region

English: Common geographical regions of Latin America Español: Regiones geográficas típicas de América Latina (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Latin America is home to more than 425 million Catholics – nearly 40% of the world’s total Catholic population – and the Roman Catholic Church now has a Latin American pope for the first time in its history. Yet identification with Catholicism has declined throughout the region, according to a major new Pew Research Center survey that examines religious affiliations, beliefs and practices in 18 Latin American countries and one U.S. territory (Puerto Rico).

Historical data suggest that for most of the 20th century, from 1900 through the 1960s, at least 90% of Latin America’s population was Catholic. Today, the Pew Research survey shows, 69% of adults across the region identify as Catholic. In nearly every country surveyed, the Catholic Church has experienced net losses from religious switching, as many Latin Americans have joined evangelical Protestant churches or rejected organized religion altogether.
On Nov. 13, 2014, the Pew Research Center brought together members of the Latin America community, religious leaders, scholars, members of the media and other experts for a round-table discussion about the latest data on religion in Latin America.
Speakers:
Jim Bell, Director of International Survey Research, Pew Research Center
Neha Sahgal, Senior Researcher, Pew Research Center
Andrew Chesnut, Professor of Religious Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University
Moderator:
Alan Cooperman, Director of Religion Research, Pew Research Center

> Event Transcript: Religion in Latin America

Related articles

• Pope Francis Demotes U.S. Cardinal Critical of His Reform Agenda
• Pope demotes outspoken conservative cardinal, highest-ranking American in the Vatican
• Editorial: Pope Francis visit will bring together millions in faith
• Pew Research on Evolution and Religion
• The Shepherd's Staff annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner
• U.S. Bishops Struggle to Follow Lead of Francis - NYTimes.com
• Pope Francis plans US visit for next year
• Watch 'real-life' exorcism of woman possessed by devil secretly filmed through church keyhole
• Pope to Visit United States Next Year
• Florida High School Implements ShoreTel Mobility on iPads

Pope Francis Raises Hopes for an Ecological Church

The new pope’s choice of the name Francis, to honour the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment, has awakened the hopes of ecologists and others who are concerned about rampant consumerism and the deterioration of the planet.

The Basilica of Aparecida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In Latin America and Africa, “environmental problems are closely linked to poverty, with the poor living in areas that are the most vulnerable to climate change and the degradation of the soil,” he said.

Both environmentalists and bishops in Latin America criticise consumerism and urge people to follow a simpler lifestyle.
The pope’s homily was in line with the recommendations set forth in the final document of the 5th General Conference of the Council of Latin American Bishops in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2007.

Read more: Pope Francis Raises Hopes for an Ecological Church

Related articles

• New: "In Him Only is Our Hope: The Church According to the Heart of Pope Francis"
• Pope Begins Interfering With Politics By Urging Denial Of Communion
• Why the new pope is a problem for American Catholics
• Pope Francis gives church hundreds of new saints
• Madre Laura named Colombia's first saint
• Pope Francis Nominates All Mothers For Sainthood
• Pope Francis: a new approach to communication
• Pope Francis Urges Bishops to Deny Communion to Pro-Abortion Catholics