Abstract

With increased competition from the Protestant denominations; the Catholic Church finds itself precariously placed in Latin America in recent years. In light of the steady decline in the number of Catholics and Catholic priests in the region; many have predicted the Church’s gradual irrelevance in politics. But as this study argues; that is not exactly the case. Although the growth in Protestant populations continues unabated in Latin America; the Catholic Church has increased its involvement in educational and social welfare activities. This seems to be a long-terms strategy; and is particularly true in countries where it faces the most intense competition from other religions.