Christianity is the religion of 6% (~ 25,000) of the population of Djibouti (923,000 - July 2012 est.). Christians are mostly of Ethiopian and European ancestry. Most Christians are Ethiopian Orthodox or Roman Catholic. The constitution of Djibouti includes freedom of religion, although Islam is the state religion. There is a tolerant attitude between religions in general. Proselytizing by any faith in public is not allowed.[1][2]
Christianity came into Djibouti during Aksumite rule seems to have included a substantially larger region, possibly the coast from present-day Sudan to Djibouti.[3]
Christian denominations edit
3.2% of the population are Orthodox. 0.07% to 1% of the population (about 4,767 persons) are Protestants. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, among other denominations are the Eglise Protestante de Djibouti and the Greek Orthodox Church[4] The Mennonite Mission is active in Djibouti. The Eglise Protestante Evangelique de Djibouti (known in English as the Protestant Church of Djibouti) was founded in 1960. It is active in the care for refugees, among other things.[5] There is a Djibouti Parish of the New Apostolic Church.[6]
Djibouti is included in the Episcopal Area of the Horn of Africa of the Anglican Diocese of Egypt, though there are no current congregations in the country.[7]
Roman Catholicism edit
There were approximately 7,000 Catholics in Djibouti in 2015.[8] By 2020 this had gone down to 5,000,[9] served by 5 priests and 24 nuns. The only Roman Catholic diocese there is the Diocese of Djibouti, divided into five parishes. Just over 1% to 2% of the population are members of the diocese. Djibouti maintains diplomatic relations with the Vatican.
Protestantism edit
There is several Protestant denominations in the country, including Reformed, Lutheran, Baptist, Adventist and Mennonite.
Freedom of religion edit
In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom;[10] Christians can worship but are not allowed to proselytize.
See also edit
References and notes edit
- ^ "Djibouti's Constitution of 1992 with Amendments through 2010" (PDF). Constitute Project. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ United States Department of State, Office of International Religious Freedom (2019). "Djibouti 2019 International Religious Freedom Report" (PDF). U.S. Department of State.
- ^ Seland, Eivind Heldaas (2014-12-01). "Early Christianity in East Africa and Red Sea/Indian Ocean Commerce". African Archaeological Review. 31 (4): 637–647. doi:10.1007/s10437-014-9172-5. hdl:1956/8893. ISSN 1572-9842. S2CID 55961653.
- ^ World Christian Encyclopedia (2nd Edition), Volume 1, p. 241
- ^ Eglise Protestante Evangelique de Djibouti
- ^ Reise nach Äthiopien, Djibouti und Elfenbeinküste
- ^ The Episcopal Area of the Horn of Africa Archived February 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Diocese of Djibouti". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ Catholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08