Religion and politics in Brazil

The power balance shifts as the Catholic Church loses followers.

The country with the largest number of Catholics in the world may become an Eden for Evangelical ‘born again’ Christians. Of Brazil’s 191 million inhabitants, more than 123 million are still Catholics, 64.6% of the population, but evangelical protestants are increasing.

In 2000 they were 15.4% of the population; by 2010 they represented 22.2%. The translation of this religious shift into the political arena is creating tensions between denominations. In the Federal Parliament, of the 513 member of the lower house, 68 are now Evangelicals while there are three in the Senate (which has 81 members).

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