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    Religion in Seychelles

    From Wikipedia - Reading time: 8 min

    Religious Affiliation in the Seychelles (2022 Census)[1]
    1. Roman Catholicism (61.3%)
    2. Other Christian (13.6%)
    3. Hinduism (5.4%)
    4. Islam (2.4%)
    5. Other (5.1%)
    6. Not stated[a] (12.2%)
    Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Victoria
    Arulmigu Navashakti Vinayakar Temple in Victoria

    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.

    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.[3]

    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.[4] 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.[4] 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.[4] Practising Catholicism, like speaking French, historically conferred a certain status by associating its adherents with the settlers from France.[4]

    Most Anglicans are descendants of families converted by missionaries in the late 19th and early 20th century.[4] Evangelical Protestant churches are active and growing, among them Pentecostals and Seventh-day Adventists.[4] A Hindu temple[5] and mosque exist on Mahé.[6] Some tax exemptions are granted to groups which are registered with the Finance Ministry.[3]

    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.[4] 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.[4]

    See also

    [edit]
    • Hinduism in Seychelles
    • Islam in Seychelles
    • Roman Catholicism in Seychelles

    References

    [edit]
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Religion in Seychelles.
    1. ^ a b c d e "Seychelles Population and Housing Census 2022". National Bureau of Statistics Seychelles. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
    2. ^ Orthodox World website
    3. ^ a b US State Dept 2022 report
    4. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
    5. ^ Swaminarayan Faith website
    6. ^ "Victoria mosque pulled down, makes way for new edifice". Seychelles Nation. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
    1. ^ Includes Not Specified, Missing and Unable to classify- data mentioned in the Census
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