Religion in Curaçao has played an important role in the islands history and culture. The island, aconstituent country of theKingdom of the Netherlands, is predominatelyRoman Catholic.[1] Although significant minorities of other faiths exist.
Curaçao is a primarily Christian nation.[citation needed] Christianity in the nation differs heavily across person to person, with several denominations having a presence on the island.
Curaçao is mostly Catholic, with 72.8% of Curaçao's population being members of the Catholic church.[1]
The entire island falls within the jurisdiction of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Willemstad, which also extends toAruba,Bonaire,Saba,Sint Eustatius, andSint Maarten. The bishop of the diocese isLuigi Antonio Secco, who was ordained in 2001.[2]
Catholicism was introduced to the island in 1525 byJuan Martínez de Ampiés, who made an attempt to convertArawak natives he was deporting as slave labor toHispaniola.[3] Later, a mission was constructed by six Catholic Spaniards.[4]
In 1751, Curaçao's first Roman Catholic church was constructed. TheBasilica of St. Anne was built by a Puerto-Rican clergyman inOtrabanda.[5] The church currently serves as the co-cathedral, alongside theQueen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, of the Diocese of Willemstad.[6]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a small presence in Curaçao. The church operates one congregation with 582 members located in Willemstad.[7] The congregation's meetinghouse operates aFamilySearch Center.[8] The congregation is part of the ABC Islands District of the Churches jurisdiction.
Though the Netherlands is mostly Protestant, they sparingly made efforts to spread the faith to their colony in Curaçao. However, some attempts were still made. In 1635 the first Protestant, a Dutch preacher named Fredericus Vitteus, arrived on the Island.[5] Following the conquest of Curaçao by theDutch West India Company, the Dutch began construction ofFort Amsterdam. For the Dutch colonists stationed at the fort, aDutch Reformed Church was built.[9] The church, known as theFort Church, is still in operation as part of theUnited Protestant Church of Curaçao.[10]
Hinduism comprises a small minority in Curaçao, making up about 0.5% of the island's population.[1] Like most Caribbean islands, Hinduism is primarily practiced by localIndo-Caribbean populations. Hinduism in Curaçao originated with indentured labourers who were brought from India to the Caribbean between the years 1838 and 1920.[11]
Curaçao has the largest population of Muslims in the formerNetherlands Antilles, most of whom are immigrants fromLebanon,Syria andSuriname.[12] TheOmar bin Al-Khattab Mosque in Otrobanda is the only mosque on the island and the former Netherlands Antilles.[citation needed]
Curaçao's Jewish community has had a profound impact on the islands history.[13]
Curaçao is home to theMikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, which is theoldest currently active synagogue in the Americas.
Sephardic Jews originally migrated to Curaçao fromSpain to escape oppression. This was part of a largermigration to the Netherlands which was also taking place. The Jews quickly established themselves on the island, becoming prominent in the trading economy of Curaçao.[14] The island's Jewish population grew quickly, and by 1785 about 40 percent, of the island's European population were Sephardic Jews.[14]
As of the most recent census, Curaçao has a Jewish population of about 300.[1]
Montamentu is asyncreticAfro-Caribbean faith practiced in Curaçao. AnAfrican diaspora religion, the faith has origins in thetransatlantic slave trade. Montamentu ispolytheistic and pays reverence to Roman Catholic saints, as well as African deities.[15]
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