The Catholic Church’s status in Latin America has drawn more attention since Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina had been elected pope in March 2013, taking the name Francis. The new survey finds that people who are currently Catholic overwhelmingly view Francis favorably and consider his papacy a major change for the church 
while it is too soon to know whether Francis can stop or reverse the church’s losses in the region.
But former Catholics tend to be more skeptical about Pope Francis. Just in Argentina and Uruguay do majorities of ex-Catholics express a view that is favorable of pope. In just about every other nation within the study, a maximum of approximately 1 / 2 of ex-Catholics see Francis positively, and fairly few see their papacy as a major modification for the Catholic Church. Numerous state its too quickly to have an impression in regards to the pope. (For details, see Chapter 9.)
Protestant Identity in Latin America
Protestants in Latin America, like Protestants elsewhere, are part of a diverse band of denominations and independent churches. But unlike in the usa, where in actuality the labels “born again” and “evangelical” set protestants that are certain, in Latin America “Protestant” and “evangelical” usually are utilized interchangeably.
The Pentecostal Church of God or the Quadrangular Evangelical Church) and members of other Protestant churches in this report, “Protestants” is broadly used to refer to members of historical Protestant churches (e.g., Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Methodists, Lutherans or Presbyterians), members of Pentecostal churches (e.g., Assemblies of God. Less than one fourth of Protestants generally in most countries surveyed state they are part of a historic church that is protestant. Approximately half say they fit in with a Pentecostal church. And, in many nations, at the very least one fourth state they are part of another Protestant church or that they don’t understand their denomination. Those types of whom are part of Pentecostal churches, Assemblies of God the most commonly cited affiliations. (See topline for complete outcomes.)
Religious Observance
The new study discovers that Protestants in Latin America are far more consistently observant than Catholics. In virtually every nation surveyed, Protestants say they head to church more usually and pray more frequently than do Catholics; a local median of 83per cent of Protestants report going to church at least one time a thirty days, in contrast to a median of 62% of Catholics. Protestants much more likely than Catholics scripture outside of spiritual solutions, to approach the Bible literally and also to believe Jesus will get back in their life time. ( To get more details, see Chapter 2.)
Selling point of Pentecostalism and religions that are afro-Caribbean
“Evangélicos” – as Protestants in the area usually are called – include many Christians whom participate in Pentecostal churches. While methods differ, Pentecostal worship services usually include experiences that believers consider “gifts associated with Holy Spirit,” divine recovery, talking in tongues and getting direct revelations from Jesus. Across all 18 nations and Puerto Rico, a median of almost two-thirds of Protestants (65%) identify as Pentecostal Christians, either because they fit in with a Pentecostal denomination (median of 47%) or since they really identify as Pentecostal no matter their denomination (median of 52%). Some Protestants identify as Pentecostal methods.
Although a lot of Catholics in Latin America additionally state they’ve witnessed divine recovery or any other presents associated with Holy Spirit, these experiences are a lot less typical in Catholic churches than in Protestant congregations. ( For lots more details, see Chapter 4.)
Many Latin Americans – including significant percentages of both Catholics and Protestants – say they contribute to thinking and methods frequently related to Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian or native religions. For instance, a 3rd of grownups in just about every nation surveyed rely on the eye that is“evil” that one individuals can throw curses or spells that can cause damage. Beliefs in reincarnation and witchcraft extensive, held by 20% or higher associated with the populace nations. Other opinions and methods differ commonly from nation to nation. for instance, a lot of Mexicans (60%) and much more than a 3rd of Bolivians (39%) state they generate offerings of meals, beverages, candles or plants to spirits, but uruguayans that are just one-in-ten9%) achieve this. Overall, the study discovers degrees of native or Afro-Caribbean practice that is religious Panama, where a lot of people (58%) – including 66% of Panamanian Catholics and 46% of Protestants – engage in at the very least three out from the eight native opinions and methods mentioned in the survey.