Pew Study Shows Catholic Decline and Protestant Rise Across Latin America
Pew Research's 2014 study reveals Catholic numbers falling to 69% while Protestant affiliation jumps to 19% across Latin America, reshaping the region's faith landscape.
When working with Protestantism, a branch of Christianity that began in the 16th‑century Reformation. Also known as Protestant faith, it broke away from Roman Catholic traditions and spread worldwide.
The movement started with the Reformation, a series of religious and political changes sparked by critiques of church practices and led by figures like Martin Luther. Lutheranism, the first major Protestant denomination kept Luther’s teachings on justification by faith. Anglicanism, the Church of England’s form of Protestantism blended reformed ideas with a retained episcopal structure. Later, Evangelicalism, a movement emphasizing personal conversion and biblical authority spread across continents, shaping worship styles and social activism.
Key attributes of Protestantism include the authority of the Bible, the central text for doctrine and personal study, the priesthood of all believers, and a focus on preaching. Because it values local governance, many churches adopt a congregational or presbyterian structure, allowing members to influence decisions. This flexibility has produced a wide range of worship formats—from traditional liturgy to contemporary worship bands.
Knowing how Protestantism interacts with culture helps explain modern debates on education, politics, and social justice. For example, evangelical groups often lobby on issues like religious freedom, while Anglican provinces engage in ecumenical dialogue with other faith traditions. The legacy of the Reformation also shows how religious ideas can drive broader societal change, influencing everything from language reform to economic development.
Below you’ll find a curated mix of articles that touch on politics, sports, health and more, all viewed through the lens of African daily news. While the stories vary, they reflect the diverse contexts where faith, culture, and current events intersect. Dive in to see how the themes we’ve outlined play out across the continent.
Pew Research's 2014 study reveals Catholic numbers falling to 69% while Protestant affiliation jumps to 19% across Latin America, reshaping the region's faith landscape.