Ecuador Religion can be defined as a secular in nature because the country of Ecuador practices freedom of choice so far as religion is concerned. The dominant religion that was being practiced by the majority of the people in Ecuador is Catholic. Many people in Ecuador also practice other religion such as Evangelist and Adventist.
Roman Catholic Church in Ecuador
With the introduction of Spanish rule in Ecuador, Roman Catholic was established as the main religion of this country. The Roman Catholic Church was the sole institutions that catered to the educational and social needs of the Catholics. This Church received liberal donations and charities with which it grew even further. But the all pervading role of Roman Catholic decreased to some extent with the acceptance of the 1945 constitution which accepted the freedom of religion and also called for the separation of church and state.
Decline of Importance of Catholicism
Catholicism gradually came to be identified as a religion marked by very less stringency and observation on the part of the followers of the religion. Majority of the followers did not abide by the “doctrinal orthodoxy” and adopted a rather “Folk Catholicism”.
Emergence of Protestant Religion in Ecuador
These led to the emergence of Protestant religion as an important religion mainly among the disadvantaged section of the society. Gradually, Protestantism became popular with the Ecuadorians, with Protestant evangelical and Pentecostal being the dominant ones. By 1980, almost 40% of the population of Chimborazo province started practicing Protestantism. Therefore, the Protestant religion also forms an important part of the overall Ecuador Religion.
This gradual conversion of Ecuador Religion also affected the social, cultural and economic life of Ecuadorians.
Christianity
Roman Catholics
Protestants
Islam
Judaism
