Are you wondering what Dominicans believe? Most of them are Catholics, while Muslims and Islamists make up a negligible percentage. Read more about the religious statistics in this Caribbean country.
We are spiritually closer to the Dominican Republic than it might seem.
I always say that this is a huge advantage. The fact that the Dominican Republic is primarily Christian is of immense importance due to cultural similarities and shared customs. Both we and Dominicans predominantly declare ourselves Catholics, but in practice, we know how it is. Certainly, the Church itself would wish for greater fervor from both groups of believers. Nevertheless, Catholicism allows one to feel “safe.” Being there, we simply do not have to worry about specific customs, rituals, or refrain from certain behaviors to avoid offending the local religious community.
Catholicism “rules” in the Dominican Republic!
The majority in the Dominican Republic are Catholics – some estimate it to be as high as 88% of the population, while Protestants constitute the next 4%. It is much more comfortable (and often even safer) to live in a country where the majority of citizens share the same religion as us. However, it must be taken into account that among these 88% of Catholics in the Dominican Republic, many are non-practicing, which is quite similar to Poland. 🙂
Therefore, we place much more trust in Latinobarometer studies from 2018-2019, which indicate that Catholics constitute less than 50% of Dominican citizens, and almost 30% do not profess any religion. Other denominations include Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ, and Protestants. Although all these religions differ from each other, they are nonetheless more or less similar to Christianity (at least in terms of professed values).
Are there Muslims and Islamists in the Dominican Republic?
Without a doubt, the greatest fears among Poles are raised by Muslims and Islamists – especially in light of the increasing number of refugees arriving in Europe. We can reassure you here: it is estimated that between 2,000 and 2,500 Muslims live in the entire Dominican Republic. Just like in Poland, religious attacks do not occur in the Dominican Republic – at all.
And what can we say about immigrants from Haiti? They are also mostly Christians, including Evangelical Protestants, Catholics, and Seventh-day Adventists. According to the Dominican National Statistical Office from 2017, there were 498,000 Haitian immigrants in the country. An unknown number practice voodoo or other Afro-Caribbean beliefs, such as Santeria. However, refugees do not stand out and do not cause problems; they are practically invisible to the average citizen.
The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief. The Concordat with the Holy See designates Catholicism as the official state religion and extends special privileges to the Catholic Church not granted to other religious groups. These include funding for expenses, including administration and construction, visa exemptions, and customs duty exemptions. Some members of non-Catholic groups have stated that they disapprove of the government’s preference for the Catholic Church, the lack of explicit legal protection for churches beyond what the constitution provides, and the treatment of non-Catholic churches as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). According to representatives of non-Catholic groups, the proposed bill on the registration and regulation of religious entities could limit what they described as unequal treatment of religious groups.
Catholic Churches in the Dominican Republic
As this country is predominantly Catholic, many churches can be found in the Dominican Republic. The most popular and important among them include:
- Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia,
- Cathedral of Santa María la Menor,
- Church of San Estanislao de Cracovia,
- Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen,
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Las Mercedes,
- Monastery of San Francisco,
- Cathedral of Santiago Apóstol.
The Dominican Republic is an important pilgrimage site, for example, associated with the miraculous apparition of Our Lady of Las Mercedes, one of the main patronesses of the Dominican Republic.
A brief history of the church.
In 1493, Father Buyl arrived in Santo Domingo and, within 15 years, established several bishoprics, churches, and monasteries. By the 16th century, the Santo Domingo Cathedral was the center of faith. Colonial life revolved around the Church, which founded schools, universities, and hospitals, housing magnificent examples of colonial architecture. Many of these structures still existed at the end of the 20th century.
CATEDRAL PRIMADA DE AMÉRICA – The First Historical Cathedral of the “New World”
Built between 1510 and 1540, the first cathedral of the Americas – known as Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación o Anunciación, Primada de America – still stands in all its glory over the heart of the Colonial City. The 500-year-old Gothic-style building continues to serve as the most important venue for official ceremonies and religious celebrations. In the 19th century, the remains of Christopher Columbus were found here.
The Cathedral (near Punta Cana) that every tourist visiting the Dominican Republic knows.
Located in nearby Higüey and opened in 1971, the cathedral is one of the most important places of worship in the Dominican Republic. Dedicated to Our Lady of La Altagracia, the patroness of Dominicans, it features a 69-meter-high arch, with a bronze and gold entrance. In the central altar, the focal point of worship is a framed 16th-century image of Our Lady. Every year on January 21, pilgrims from all over the country gather here to pay homage, queuing before the altar and offering their prayers to the patroness of the Dominican Republic.
Pope John Paul II’s journey to the Dominican Republic.
Pope John Paul II’s apostolic journey to the Dominican Republic from October 9-14, 1992, marked the culmination of the celebrations of the Quincentennial of the Evangelization of Latin America.
In front of the Faro de Colón mausoleum – Christopher Columbus’s mausoleum – stands the Popemobile used by John Paul II during his visit to the Dominican Republic.
In summary…
If you are concerned that you will encounter a religious barrier during your trip to the Dominican Republic – there is absolutely no need to worry. The majority of citizens are full-fledged Catholics who adhere to similar moral principles as Poles. Muslims and Islamists are practically non-existent here – although the number of 2,000 members may seem quite large, it is barely noticeable among over 11,000,000 citizens.
