The first Catholic dioceses to be erected in the Caribbean were in Puerto Rico, as early as the 15th century. With the arrival of the Spaniards, the Catholic religion spread in an exclusive and authoritarian way. The vast majority of the island's communities have their own church, which often stands in the central square of the village, opposite the town hall.on the whole, the daily life of Puerto Ricans is punctuated by religious festivals and rituals. Churches are often full during Sunday mass, even if they are gradually emptying. Many Puerto Ricans thank God before they start eating. A rosary is often hung on the center mirror of the family car. Also, the best way to gauge the Catholic fervor of the islanders is to go to a carnival. It remains to be seen whether the passion and energy put into preparing the festival is a Catholic rite, or simply traditional. Everyone finds there what he wants to see.
Protestantism developed on the island after the Spanish-American War. The first Protestant church in Puerto Rico, Holly Trinity Anglican Church, was founded in 1872, but was not allowed to ring bells until the arrival of the Americans in 1898, when religious freedom was established. Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians make up this community, most of whose followers claim to come from Catholicism. The United States has the highest concentration of evangelicals in the world (nearly 30% of the population), and Puerto Rico is expected to follow this trend, with some researchers predicting that evangelicals will make up 75% of the population of Puerto Rico in the near future.
Puerto Rico is also home to the largest Jewish community in the Caribbean and is the only island where all three main streams of Judaism - Orthodox, Conservative and Reform - are active. It has approximately 3,000 members, mostly descendants of immigrants who came from Europe during the time of Nazi Germany. A second wave was added, this time composed of Jewish emigrants from Cuba who were fleeing the raids. There are three active synagogues in San Juan and one in Mayaguez. Kosher food is available on the island.
The Islamic religion remains unknown in the Caribbean. While among African slaves Islam was undoubtedly secretly represented, its introduction to Puerto Rico officially dates back to the mid-twentieth century, when a large number of Palestinians immigrated. Today there is also a Pakistani and Egyptian community that frequents the mosques. The first mosque was established in 1981 in the city of Rio Piedras. Today there are nine mosques throughout the country, with approximately 5,000 followers.
As for popular beliefs, with the santería, comparable to voodoo and despite the weight of the Catholic and evangelical churches, Puerto Ricans continue to venerate certain Yoruba deities, rooted in African culture. This practice dates back to the time of the slaves, who, forced to adopt Catholicism, took over certain celebrations of Catholic saints by identifying them with their own divine figures. Religious syncretism or dual cultural affiliation? Whatever the case, there is a real African cultural heritage, and ancestor worship remains a persistent practice in Puerto Rican society. The last community with a majority of descendants of slaves is in the city of Loiza. It is here that every year in July, the Santiago Apostol Festival brings to life this unique blend of African and Spanish Catholic traditions.
