Philippines: "Renewalist" influence growing

According to a recent survey by an American research group, 44% of Filipino Catholics have joined Pentecostal sects or Catholic "Charismatic" groups.

Manila (AsiaNews) – More and more people in the Philippines are joining so-called "Renewalist" movements, leaving Catholicism for Pentecostal sects or becoming members of "Charismatic" groups within the Church. The latest survey about the phenomenon reveals that the country has one of the highest rates of membership in such groups anywhere in the world at 44%.

A survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, a Washington-based research group, found that at least one in four Christians, or a quarter of the world's two billion Christians, belong to Pentecostal or Charismatic groups, described by the survey as "Renewalists".

The survey, which was conducted in 10 countries across the world, rated the Philippines and South Korea as having the highest number of Renewalists in Asia, at 44% and 11% respectively. But Latin America takes the world record, with Brazil at 50%.

Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum, said: "This survey demonstrates that Pentecostal beliefs and practices are literally reshaping the face of Christianity throughout the developing world."

He continued: "With religion playing an increasingly prominent role in global affairs, we need to pay closer attention to Pentecostalism — arguably the most dynamic religious movement in the world today."

These "conversions" are divided into those belonging to Pentecostal sects, who abandon other forms of Christianity and those belonging to Charismatic groups, who remain members of the Catholic or Protestant Churches. The former group does away with traditional practices to devote themselves to the "gifts of the Holy Spirit", like speaking in tongues, divine healing and preparing for the imminent end of the world. The latter are just seeking "a more active way to live their faith".

According to the survey, more than half the Pentecostals and Charismatics believe their groups should be more active in politics and work to create Christian nations.

The Philippines has a population of around 67 million people: 85% is Catholics, 6.2% is Muslim and 4.7% belong to other Christian denominations.

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