Roman Catholicism in Lesotho

Roman Catholicism in Lesotho

Roman Catholicism, is the dominant religion in Lesotho. Approximately 90 percent of the population are Christians, of which 70 percent are Roman Catholics. Muslims, members of other non-Christian religions, and atheists constitute the remaining 10 percent. Christians are scattered throughout the country, while Muslims live mainly in the northeastern part of the country. Most practitioners of Islam are of Asian origin, while the majority of Christians are the indigenous Basotho.

Many devout Christians still practice their traditional cultural beliefs and rituals along with Christianity. The Catholic Church has fused some aspects of local culture into its services. For example, the singing of hymns during services has developed into a local and traditional way of singing (a repetitive call and response style) in Sesotho, the indigenous language, as well as English. In addition priests are seen dressed in local dress during services.

There are three main missionary groups, all of which are Christian, active in the country: Catholics, Protestants, and Anglicans.

Catholic predominance in the country derives from the successful establishment of Catholic schools in the last century and their influence over education policy. The Catholic Church owns about 75 percent of all primary and secondary schools in the country, and was instrumental in establishing the National University of Lesotho.

The Catholic Church helped found the Basotho National Party (BNP) in 1959 and sponsored it in the independence elections in 1966. Most members of the BNP are practicing Catholics. The BNP ruled the country from independence in 1966 until 1985 when it was overthrown in a military coup. The then-opposition Basutoland Congress Party (BCP) historically has been aligned with the Protestants or evangelicals specifically. They were forced into exile in 1973 after being denied their victory in the 1970 elections.

The members of the BCP, who have remained Protestant, won all 65 seats in the National Assembly when elections were held again in 1993. [ [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2001/5617.htm U.S. State Department] ]

The Roman Catholic Church in Lesotho is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome.

There are 4 dioceses including one archdiocese:

* Maseru
** Leribe
** Mohale’s Hoek
** Qacha’s Nek

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Roman Catholicism in Morocco — The Roman Catholic Church in Morocco is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. There are around 20,000 Catholics in Morocco, most of them are European expatriates, with a big majority… …   Wikipedia

  • Roman Catholicism in Nigeria — The Catholic Church in Nigeria is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, the curia in Rome, and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. The president of the Bishops Conference is Archbishop Felix… …   Wikipedia

  • Roman Catholicism in Western Sahara — The Roman Catholic Church in Western Sahara is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. Western Sahara is one of the least Catholic countries in the world; the church is largely… …   Wikipedia

  • Roman Catholicism in South Africa — The Roman Catholic Church in South Africa is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. There are 26 dioceses and archdioceses, plus an apostolic vicariate.There are approximately… …   Wikipedia

  • Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Maseru — The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Maseru {Latin: Maseruen(us) } is the Metropolitan See for the Ecclesiastical province of Maseru in Lesotho.History* 1894.05.08: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Basutoland from the Apostolic Vicariate of… …   Wikipedia

  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Leribe — Infobox Diocese| jurisdiction=Diocese name=Leribe latin=Dioecesis Leribensis country=Lesotho metropolitan=Maseru rite=Latin Rite area= 5,129 population=424,400 population as of=2003 catholics=230,639 catholics percent=54.3 bishop=Paul KhoaraiThe… …   Wikipedia

  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Mohale’s Hoek — Infobox Diocese| jurisdiction=Diocese name=Mohale s Hoek latin=Dioecesis Mohaleshoekensis country=Lesotho metropolitan=Maseru rite=Latin Rite area= 5,799 population=533,595 population as of=2004 catholics=306,248 catholics percent=57.4… …   Wikipedia

  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Qacha’s Nek — Infobox Diocese| jurisdiction=Diocese name=Qacha’s Nek latin=Dioecesis Qachasnekensis country=Lesotho metropolitan=Maseru rite=Latin Rite area= 11,409 population=382,933 population as of=2004 catholics=189,551 catholics percent=49.5… …   Wikipedia

  • Lesotho — /leuh sooh tooh, soh toh/, n. a monarchy in S Africa: formerly a British protectorate; gained independence 1966; member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 2,007,814; 11,716 sq. mi. (30,344 sq. km). Cap.: Maseru. Formerly, Basutoland. * * * Lesotho… …   Universalium

  • Lesotho — Kingdom of Lesotho Muso oa Lesotho …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”