Wednesday, July 16

Religion in the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is a deeply religious and Christian-majority society, with freedom of religion guaranteed by its Constitution. Faith plays a significant role in community life, social values, education, and public policy.


Religious Demographics (Estimates)

ReligionPercentage of Population
Christianity (Total)~75–80%
– Protestant (Anglican, Baptist, etc.)~50%
– Roman Catholic~14–16%
– Other Christian (Adventist, Pentecostal, etc.)~15%
Other Religions~5%
– IslamSmall, mostly expatriates
– Hinduism & BuddhismVery small (expat-driven)
No Religion / Non-affiliated~10–15%

Christian Denominations in the Cayman Islands

1. Anglican Church

  • Historically the dominant denomination due to British colonial influence
  • Known as the Church of England locally
  • Notable churches: St. George’s Anglican Church, Elmslie Memorial Church

2. Baptist and Evangelical Churches

  • Strong presence in local communities
  • Focus on personal salvation, Bible study, and active evangelism
  • Examples: First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman

3. Seventh-day Adventists

  • Active denomination with churches and schools
  • Observes Sabbath on Saturday
  • Engages heavily in health and education outreach

4. Roman Catholic Church

  • Overseen by the Archdiocese of Kingston (Jamaica)
  • Notable churches: St. Ignatius Catholic Church (George Town)

5. Church of God / Pentecostal

  • Spirit-led worship, often with music, healing, and revival themes
  • Significant among Caymanians of Jamaican descent

Minority Religions

ReligionDetails
IslamSmall Muslim community, mostly expatriates; no formal mosque yet
HinduismPracticed by a few Indo-Caribbean and Indian residents
JudaismNo known synagogues; some Jewish expats and visitors
BuddhismVery small, typically among Asian expats or tourists

Legal & Social Framework

  • Freedom of religion is protected by the 2009 Cayman Islands Constitution.
  • The government does not interfere with religious expression.
  • Religious groups are free to register and operate schools, charities, and worship centers.

Religion in Education

  • Religious instruction is offered in public schools.
  • Most private schools are affiliated with Christian churches (e.g., Catholic, Baptist, Adventist).
  • Christian holidays such as Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter are public holidays.

Faith in Public Life

  • Church attendance remains high, especially on Sundays.
  • Many political leaders are openly religious.
  • Social values often reflect conservative Christian morals (e.g., family, modesty, service).
  • National ceremonies and public functions often include prayers or scripture readings.

Religious Holidays in Cayman

HolidayType
Christmas DayChristian
Good FridayChristian
Easter MondayChristian
Ash WednesdayChristian (observed)
National Day of PrayerChristian, multi-denominational
New Year’s DayCulturally Christian

Religion & Culture

  • Religion heavily influences music, dress, marriage, and funeral rites.
  • Events like Gospel concerts, church conventions, and youth retreats are common.
  • The influence of Jamaican and American evangelism is noticeable in worship styles and church governance.

Summary

AspectStatus
Dominant ReligionChristianity (~80%)
Most Popular DenominationsAnglican, Baptist, Catholic, Adventist
Minority FaithsIslam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism (very small)
Religious FreedomFully protected by Constitution
Role in SocietyHigh — in education, holidays, public life
Share.
Leave A Reply

Exit mobile version