Guatemala

Menu

Religion

Roman Catholicism was the only religion during the colonial era, and remains the dominant faith with about two-thirds of the population as adherents. However, Protestant denominations have increased markedly in recent decades, especially under the reign of dictator and evangelical pastor General Efraín Ríos Montt. Around one third of Guatemalans are Protestant, chiefly Evangelicals and Pentecostals.

The practice of traditional Mayan religion is increasing as a result of the cultural protections established under the peace accords. The government has instituted a policy of providing altars at every Mayan ruin found in the country so that traditional ceremonies may be performed there.

There are also small communities of Jews (about 1200), Muslims (1200), and members of other faiths.

Guatemala was visited by Pope John Paul II three times, the last being in 2002, when the pontiff canonized Pedro de Betancourt, the first Guatemalan saint, as well as the first saint from Central America.^[10] The current Roman Catholic leader of Guatemala is Cardinal Rodolfo Quezada Toruno, Archbishop of the Guatemala dioceses, and Mons. Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri is head of the Episcopal Conference.

Education

The government runs a number of public elementary and secondary-level schools. These schools are free, though the cost of uniforms, books, supplies, and transportation makes them less accessible to the poorer segments of society. Many middle and upper-class children go to private schools. The country also has one public university (Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala), and 9 private ones (see List of universities in Guatemala). Only 69.1% of the population aged 15 and over are literate, the lowest literacy rate in Central America.^[11]