Christianity is the predominant religion in Kiribati, with over 96% of the population identifying as Christian. Introduced by missionaries in the mid-19th century, it is a dominant cultural force, with faith active in both urban and rural island communities.
Key Aspects of Christianity in Kiribati:
- Dominant Denominations: The largest group is the Roman Catholic Church (roughly 58-59%), followed by the Kiribati Uniting Church (KUC, approx. 21-35%), a Protestant denomination.
- Geographical Split: Catholics are predominantly concentrated in the northern islands, while Protestants form the majority in the southern islands.
- Other Groups: Other Christian groups include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and Seventh-day Adventists.
- Cultural Integration: Christianity is often integrated with traditional I-Kiribati culture, and most governmental and social functions begin with an interdenominational prayer.
- History: Protestant missionaries, including Hiram Bingham II, arrived in 1857, and the first Catholic missionaries arrived in 1888.
- “One-Church” Custom: Some southern islands, such as Arorae and Tamana, maintain a “one-church-only” tradition in deference to the first missionaries who settled there, as reported by State.gov.
Education and Community
Church organizations play a key role in the education sector, managing many Early Childhood Education (ECCE) centres and numerous secondary schools.
Religious Freedom
According to State.gov, freedom of religion is enshrined in the constitution, and the government generally respects this right. The Kiribati Uniting Church is actively involved in community work, while the Catholic Church maintains a strong presence through schools and services.
Links for further overview of Kiribati:
Stichting HEALING THE NATIONS 