Catholic Church in Puerto Rico

Henry K. Carroll, Special Commissioner for the United States, studied the situation in Puerto Rico and reported back that up until then, black clerics (cléricos negros) had been prohibited by Spain.

"Its deepest roots are Latino ... U.S. rule began in 1898, at the end of the Spanish–American War, but indigenous, African and Spanish cultures "shaped its identity for 400 years" and that influence "cannot be undone overnight”.

Since the approval of the Puerto Rican Constitution in 1952, popular religious traditions such as processions and festivals honoring communities' patron saints have taken root again.

[11] On March 27, 2018, local Judge Anthony Cuevas issued an embargo against the Archdiocese of San Juan which would remain in effect until they could find $4.7 million to pay for the teachers pension.

[12] It was also ruled that the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico was a single entity and that the embargo would apply to all the suffragan dioceses of the Archdiocese of San Juan.

[14] Federal Judge Edward Godoy protected the archdiocese under Chapter 11, paralyzing the seizure of assets and helping them avoid the owed retirement payments.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ponce, seat of the Diocese of Ponce .
The Adjuntas barrio-pueblo plaza with its Catholic church, seen in the background, is where the Adjuntas' annual patron saint festival is held.
"San Jose y el Niño", ca. 1845 is a Santo statuette carved by Tiburcio de la Espada, born in San Germán, Puerto Rico. Saint Joseph is the patron saint of Ciales, Gurabo, Luquillo, Peñuelas, and Lares.