RELIGION

About 95 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. However a much smaller percentage actually participate in religious activities. Women are traditionally known to be more religious, attend church regularly and practice their customs. Roman Catholicism had its roots in the Spanish conquest, when missionaries and priests followed the military expeditions. A number of religious orders were formed including Franciscans, Mercedarians, Dominicans, and Jesuits. The clergy were mainly of European origin.

During the colonial era the Roman Catholic Church was an extremely wealthy institution and a dominant financial power in Bolivia. The relationship between church and state was mutual and the church had great moral influence on the state. After independence non-Roman Catholic churches were established and the government proclaimed religious tolerance. The church and the state no longer mediate each other’s affairs. Today a number of denominations are represented in Bolivia including Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Methodists, Mennonites, Hare Krishna sects and a small Jewish population.

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