Religion in Curaçao has played an important role in the islands history and culture. The island, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is predominately Roman Catholic.[1] Although significant minorities of other faiths exist.
Christianity
Curaçao is a primarily christian nation. Christianity in the nation differs heavily across person to person, with several denominations having a presence on the island.
Catholicism
Curaçao is mostly Catholic, with 72.8% of Curaçao's population being members of the Catholic church.[1]
The entire island falls within the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Willemstad, which also extends to Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. The bishop of the diocese is Luigi Antonio Secco, who was ordained in 2001.[2]
Catholicism was introduced to the island in 1525 by Juan Martínez de Ampiés, who made an attempt to convert Arawak natives he was deporting as slave labor to Hispaniola.[3] Later, a mission was constructed by six Catholic spainards.[4]
In 1751, Curaçao's first Roman Catholic church was constructed. The Basilica of St. Anne was built by a Puerto-Rican clergyman in Otrabanda.[5] The church currently serves as the co-cathedral, alongside the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, of the Diocese of Willemstad.[6]
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a small presence in Curaçao. The church operates one congregation with 582 members located in Willemstad.[7] The congregation's meetinghouse operates a FamilySearch Center.[8] The congregation is part of the ABC Islands District of the Churches jurisdiction.
Protestant
Though the Netherlands is mostly Protestant, they sparingly made efforts to spread the faith to their colony in Curaçao. However, some attempts were still made. In 1635 the first Protestant, a Dutch preacher named Fredericus Vitteus, arrived on the Island.[5] Following the conquest of Curaçao by the Dutch West India Company, the Dutch began construction of Fort Amsterdam. For the Dutch colonists stationed at the fort, a Dutch Reformed Church was built.[9] The church, known as the Fort Church, is still in operation as part of the United Protestant Church of Curaçao.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Central America and Caribbean: Curaçao". CIA The World Factbook. 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Catholic Hierarchy". Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ Carlos Felice Cardot (1982). Curazao Hispanico, antagonismo Flamenco-Espanol (in Spanish). Caracas, Ediciones de la Presidencia de la Republica. p. 350.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Spanish Colonial Period 1499 - 1634". Curacao History. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Dutch Colonial Period till Great Slave Revolt 1634 - 1795". Curacao History. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ Ltd, Earl G. Graves (1988-05-01). Black Enterprise. Earl G. Graves, Ltd.
- ^ "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Curaçao", Newsroom, LDS Church
- ^ Category:Curaçao Family History Centers Map, familysearch.org, retrieved May 23, 2023
- ^ "Protestantse Kerken". Reli Curaçao (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "Fort Amsterdam – Fort". Curaçao Monuments. Retrieved 11 April 2024.