Religion in the Republic of the Congo

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Religion in the Republic of the Congo by the World Religion Database (2020 estimate)[1]

  
Christian (89.32%)
(5.49%)
St. Peter's Cathedral in Pointe-Noire.

Catholicism
being its largest denomination.

Different sources give varying population figures for various denominations. According to the

Protestants (19.9%), and none (11.3%). Smaller groups include Salutiste 2.2% and Kimbanguiste (1.5%). Followers of Islam made up 1.6%, primarily due to an influx of foreign workers into the urban centers.[2]

Most Muslim workers in urban centers are immigrants from West Africa and

Sunni Muslims. There are also 6,0000 followers of the Ahmadiyya school of Islam in the country.[3]

A small minority of Christians practice Kimbanguism, a syncretistic movement that originated in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. While retaining many elements of Christianity, Kimbanguism also recognizes its founder (Simon Kimbangu) as a prophet and incorporates African traditional beliefs, such as ancestor worship.

Freedom of religion

In 2023, the country scored 3 out of 4 for religious freedom.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Todd M.; Grim, Brian J., eds. (2022). World Religion Database. Brill. Retrieved 3 January 2024. As published at ARDA
  2. ^ "Congo, Republic of the". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  3. ^ "The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity" (PDF). Pew Forum on Religious & Public life. August 9, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  4. ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-01