Religion in Guatemala

Catholicism was the official religion in Guatemala during the colonial era and currently has a special status under the constitution; though its membership has declined substantially over the last half-century.

[1] The Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy also claim rapid growth, especially among the indigenous Maya peoples.

While it is not a state religion, the Catholic Church is recognized as "a distinct legal personality" that receives certain privileges.

[1] The constitution includes a commitment to protect the rights of indigenous Maya groups to practice their religion.

However, representatives of Mayan groups have complained that their access is limited and subject to other obstacles, such as being required to pay fees.

[7] The first Protestant missionary, Frederick Crowe, arrived in Guatemala in 1843, but Conservative President Rafael Carrera expelled him in 1845.

[8] Protestant missionaries re-entered the country in 1882 under the patronage of Liberal President Justo Rufino Barrios.

Two Guatemalan heads of state, General Efraín Ríos Montt, who in 2013 was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity, and Jorge Serrano Elías, have been practicing Protestants.

Brazil also had two Protestant heads of state, the Presbyterian, called Café Filho, and the Lutheran Ernesto Geisel.

[citation needed] The Syriac Orthodox Patriarchal Vicariate of Guatemala is led by Archbishop Mor Yacoub Edward.

[17] Both Eastern and Oriental Orthodox converts are almost largely made up of indigenous Mayans, a historically persecuted ethnic minority in Guatemala.