Fact sheets > Religion

Most Nicaraguans are Roman Catholic Christians. Catholicism has dominated the religious life of the country since the Spanish conquistadors came, and converted and conquered the people of Nicaragua in the 1500s.

Some have argued the indigenous peoples may have adapted easily to Christianity because the Nicarao's (nik-ah-RAH-oh) symbol for their god of rain was similar to the Christian cross. For whatever reasons, Catholicism was established and remains the primary religion.

Roman Catholic traditions are reflected in the country's holidays and festivals. In addition to the Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, which are widely celebrated, most towns and villages have a patron saint, whose life and work are celebrated with a fiesta every year.

Another important holiday is Purisima (poor-EES-mah) -- December 6-7 - a festival day that celebrates the Virgin Mary. Here's why: Hundreds of years ago, Cerro Negro (CHAIR-oh NAY-groh)) volcano [link to volcanoes] erupted, and the lava flow worried the people of Leon (lay-OWN). They took a statue of the Virgin Mary to the volcano, and placed it on the steaming ground. The lava flow stopped. The people of Leon believed that Mary had saved them. They continue to honor her by displaying ornate altars and having a fiesta (fee-ES-tah) every year.

Here are some questions and answers about religion in Nicaragua:

Question: How else does religion influence people's lives?

Answer: Compadrazgo (cohm-PAH-drahz-goh) (godparents) are an important part of children's lives. They are present at baptism, and vow to help in the moral and religious teaching of the child. They also help the family care for the child and assist in material needs. If the child's parents die, godparents are expected to care for the child. For these reasons, godparents are carefully chosen. Parents might choose a

• Neighbor (who would be easily available to help with the children),
• Wealthy friend or relative (who could help with money),
• Doctor (who could help if a family member gets sick), or
• Relative in the United States (who could send goods or money to the family).

Question: What characterizes theology in Nicaragua?

Answer: In the 1960s, liberation theology because a wide-spread teaching. Priests became involved not only in preaching the Word of God, but in working to create a just and equitable society. The idea that God did not want the poor to be treated poorly was a new idea. That God loves all people, and each person is special, continues to be taught in both Catholic and Protestant churches in Nicaragua.

Question: How long has the Lutheran Church been in Nicaragua?

Answer: The Lutheran church in Nicaragua began in 1983, when Lutherans from EI Salvador fled their country to escape war. The church is small, but growing. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the world-wide Lutheran organization. Esperanza de Nicaragua (ILFE).