Religion in the Republic of the Congo by the World Religion Database (2020 estimate)[1]

  Christian (89.32%)
  Traditional African religions (5.49%)
  Muslim (1.24%)
  None (2.97%)
  Other (0.97%)
St. Peter's Cathedral in Pointe-Noire.

Christianity is the predominant religion in the Republic of the Congo, with Catholicism being its largest denomination.

Different sources give varying population figures for various denominations. According to the CIA World Factbook, in 2007 the people of the Republic of the Congo were largely a mix of Catholics (33.1%), Awakening/Revival churches (22.3%), Protestants (19.9%), and none (11.3%). Smaller groups include Salutiste 2.2% and Kimbanguiste (1.5%). Followers of Islam made up 1.6%, primarily due to an influx of foreign workers into the urban centers.[2]

Most Muslim workers in urban centers are immigrants from West Africa and Lebanon, with some also from North Africa. The West African immigrants arrived mostly from Mali, Benin, Togo, Mauritania, and Senegal. The Lebanese are primarily Sunni Muslims. There are also 6,0000 followers of the Ahmadiyya school of Islam in the country.[3]

A small minority of Christians practice Kimbanguism, a syncretistic movement that originated in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. While retaining many elements of Christianity, Kimbanguism also recognizes its founder (Simon Kimbangu) as a prophet and incorporates African traditional beliefs, such as ancestor worship.

Freedom of religion

In 2023, the country scored 3 out of 4 for religious freedom.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Todd M.; Grim, Brian J., eds. (2022). World Religion Database. Brill. Retrieved 3 January 2024. As published at ARDA
  2. ^ "Congo, Republic of the". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  3. ^ "The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity" (PDF). Pew Forum on Religious & Public life. August 9, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  4. ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-01
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