Religion in Seychelles

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.  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.

* v
* t
* e

Religion in Africa

Religions|

* Traditional African religions portal

* Akamba mythology
* Akan religion
* Ancient Egyptian religion
* Baháʼí Faith
* Bantu mythology
* Traditional Berber religion
* Bono mythology
* Buddhism
* Bushongo mythology
* Christianity
* Dahomean religion
* Dinka religion
* Dogon religion
* Efik mythology
* Hinduism
* Igbo religion
* Irreligion
* Islam
* Isoko mythology
* Jainism
* Judaism
* Khoe/San religion
* Lotuko mythology
* Lozi mythology
* Lugbara mythology
* Maasai mythology
* Malagasy mythology
* Mbuti mythology
* Serer religion
* Serer creation myth
* Traditional African religions
* Tumbuka mythology
* Waaqeffanna
* Yoruba religion
* Zulu religion

Sovereign states|

* Algeria
* Angola
* Benin
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Comoros
* Democratic Republic of the Congo
* Djibouti
* Egypt
* Equatorial Guinea
* Eritrea
* Eswatini
* Ethiopia
* Gabon
* The Gambia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Guinea-Bissau
* Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Liberia
* Libya
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mali
* Mauritania
* Mauritius
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Republic of the Congo
* Rwanda
* São Tomé and Príncipe
* Senegal
* Seychelles
* Sierra Leone
* Somalia
* South Africa
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Togo
* Tunisia
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

Dependencies,
autonomies, and
other territories|

* Canary Islands (Spain)
* Ceuta (Spain)
* Madeira (Portugal)
* Mayotte (France)
* Melilla (Spain)
* Puntland
* Réunion (France)
* Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
* St. Helena (UK)
* Somaliland
* Western Sahara
* Zanzibar (Tanzania)

See also: African diaspora religions

* v
* t
* e

Seychelles articles

History|

* History of Seychelles
* Colonial governors
* 1977 coup d'état
* 1981 coup d'état attempt

Geography|

* Capital
* Cities
* Islands
* Districts
* Rivers
* Wildlife

Politics|

* Elections
* Foreign relations
* LGBT rights
* Military
* National Assembly
* Political parties
* President
* Vice-President
* Prime Minister
* Supreme Court

Economy|

* Agriculture
* Central Bank
* Rupee (currency)
* Telecommunications
* Tourism
* Transport

Society|

* Abortion
* Culture
* Demographics
* Education
* Languages
* People
* Music
* Public holidays
* Religion
* Sport
* Symbols
* Anthem
* Coat of arms
* Flag
* Women

* Outline
* Index

* Category

1. ^ Includes Not Specified, Missing and Unable to classify- data mentioned in the Census

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template