Religion in Seychelles
- Roman Catholicism (61.3%)
- Other Christian (13.6%)
- Hinduism (5.40%)
- Islam (2.40%)
- Other (5.10%)
- Not stated[a] (12.2%)
Christianity is the majority religion in Seychelles, with Roman Catholicism being its largest denomination.[1]
The country is officially secular and its constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religious practice.
Demographics
[edit]According to the most recent census of 2022, the majority of the population follows Christianity. Most of the Christian were Roman Catholics (61.3%). About 5% are Anglican Christians and 8.6% follows other sects of Christianity,[1] like Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Assemblies of God, the Pentecostal Church, Nazarites, Greek Orthodox,[2] and Jehovah's Witnesses.
Over the censuses 1987 to 2010, there has been a slight decrease of the percentage of Catholics.[3]
Hinduism is the largest non-Christian faith in Seychelles followed by 5.4% of its population.[1] Hinduism is followed mostly by the Indo-Seychellois community.
Islam is followed by 2.4% of the population.[1]
There is also a small number of followers of Rastafarians, Baha’is and Brahma Kumaris.[4]
Background
[edit]The initial settlers in Seychelles were Roman Catholics, and the country has remained so, despite ineffective British efforts to establish Protestantism in the islands during the nineteenth century.[5] The nation has been a bishopric since 1890, and mission schools had a virtual monopoly on education until the government took over such schools in 1944.[5] Sunday masses are well attended, and religious holidays are celebrated throughout the nation both as opportunities for the devout to practise their faith and as social events.[5] Practising Catholicism, like speaking French, historically conferred a certain status by associating its adherents with the settlers from France.[5]
Most Anglicans are descendants of families converted by missionaries in the late 19th and early 20th century.[5] Evangelical Protestant churches are active and growing, among them Pentecostals and Seventh-day Adventists.[5] A Hindu temple[6] and mosque exist on Mahé.[7] Some tax exemptions are granted to groups which are registered with the Finance Ministry.[4]
Although the clergy and the civil authorities disapprove, many Seychellois see little inconsistency between their orthodox Religious Observance and belief in magic, witchcraft, and sorcery.[5] It is not uncommon to consult a local seer – known as a bonom di bwa – for fortune-telling or to obtain protective amulets or charms, called gri-gri, to bring harm to enemies.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Seychelles Population and Housing Census 2022". National Bureau of Statistics Seychelles. 21 March 2024. pp. 30–31. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ↑ Orthodox World website
- ↑ "Population and Housing Census 2010 Report" (PDF). pp. 29–30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- 1 2 US State Dept 2022 report
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Tartter, Jean R. (1995). "Seychelles: Religion". In Metz, Helen Chapin (ed.). Indian Ocean: five island countries (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 220–221. ISBN 0-8444-0857-3. OCLC 32508646.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ↑ Swaminarayan Faith website
- ↑ "Victoria mosque pulled down, makes way for new edifice". Seychelles Nation. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ↑ Includes Not Specified, Missing and Unable to classify- data mentioned in the Census