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Religious Beliefs and Spirituality in Panama

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Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion in Panama, and is followed by Protestantism in terms of followers and adherents. There are other religions or religious denominations and communities are found in many parts of the country that are allowed by the Constitution that guarantees freedom of religion. This freedom is taken to mean authorized practice of all forms of religion among the inhabitants.

Roman Catholicism is said to have 2.5 million members in the country divided into six dioceses, one archdiocese, and territorial prelature and apostolic vicariate. The Diocese of Panama is the oldest in the Americas, having been set up in 1514 by the Franciscan missionaries who, along with the other groups of missionaries, influenced much of the country’s religious beliefs largely towards Roman Catholicism.

The religion is symbolized by numerous festivals and celebrations, including the Carnaval which is celebrated before Lent and the festivals held at the country’s different regions and towns. The festival of the Cristo Negro or Black Jesus Christ is the most famous celebration held annually in Portobelo, Colon Province on October 21, followed by the Jesus Cristo de Azuero in Las Tablas and Herrera provinces.

The Protestant denominations in Panama such as the Southern Baptist Convention, United Methodist, Methodist Church of the Caribbean and Americas, and Lutherans derive their membership from the communities of the American blacks, and expatriates concentrated in Panama and Colon provinces.

The other religions of Panama are known to include the Bahai Faith Community, which maintains seven houses of worship in the country; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) with over 40,000 members, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Episcopalians with 7,000 to 10,000 members each; and the Jewish, Muslim, Hindus, and Buddhist communities, each having 10,000 members. The Muslims are said to be of Lebanese, Palestinian and Indian descent.