Religion Demographics of Cuba

cuba has multitude of faiths reflecting island s diverse cultural elements. catholicism, brought island spanish colonialists @ beginning of 16th century, prevalent professed faith. after revolution, cuba became officially atheistic state , restricted religious practice. since fourth cuban communist party congress in 1991, restrictions have been eased and, according national catholic observer, direct challenges state institutions right religion have disappeared, though church still faces restrictions of written , electronic communication, , can accept donations state-approved funding sources. roman catholic church made of cuban catholic bishops conference (cocc), led jaime lucas ortega y alamino, cardinal archbishop of havana. has eleven dioceses, 56 orders of nuns , 24 orders of priests. in january 1998, pope john paul ii paid historic visit island, invited cuban government , catholic church.

afro-cuban religions, blend of native african religions , roman catholicism, practiced in cuba. diversity derives west , central africans transported cuba, , in effect reinvented african religions. did combining them elements of catholic belief system, result similar brazil. 1 of these afro-cuban religions santeria.

protestantism, introduced united states in 18th century, has seen steady increase in popularity. 300,000 cubans belong island s 54 protestant denominations. pentecostalism has grown rapidly in recent years, , assemblies of god alone claims membership of on 100,000 people. episcopal church of cuba claims 10,000 adherents. cuba has small communities of jews, muslims, buddhists , members of bahá í faith.