Christianity in Australia

Christianity in Australia and Oceania derives largely from British settlers on the subcontinent. Christianity is now Australia's main religion.^[1]

"Christianity has developed in Australia and New Zealand along broadly similar lines. Such similarities include the occurrence of colonization at about the same time, largely by emigration from the British Isles; the early presence of major Christian denominations, both locally and in extending missionary activity in the South Pacific; periodic sectarian strife; and, by the end of the twentieth century, the clearly evident effect of secularizing influences. Important differences include the much greater geographical extent of Australia, the situation of the respective indigenous inhabitants, and the partly different ethnic background and denominational affiliations of immigrants."^[2]

Christianity in Australia

In Australia 43.9% of the population is Christian; while 38.9% have no religion^[3].

Australian Protestantism:Anabaptist, Anglicanism, Apostolic Church Australian^[4], Baptist^[5], Churches of Christ^[6], Evangelical Christians^[7], Lutheranism, , Pentecostalism, Presbyterian^[8], Quakers^[9], Reformed, Salvation Army and Uniting Church in Australia^[10].
Australian Roman Catholics has 20% of the population in 21 dioceses and 5 archdioceses. There are also 5 Eastern Rite dioceses.
Australian Orthodox Churches are mostly found in cities. See also Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, Philippines
Australian Oriental Orthodox Churches are also found in many places

Christianity in New Zealand

In New Zealand 36.5% of the population is Christian; while 48.2% have no religion^[11].

New Zealand Protestantism: Anabaptist, Anglicanism, Methodist^[12], Baptist^[13], Churches of Christ^[14], Evangelical Christians^[15], Lutheranism, , Pentecostalism^[16], Presbyterian^[17], Quakers^[18], Reformed, Salvation Army ^[19].
New Zealand Roman Catholics has 12.6% of the population in 6 dioceses and 1 archdiocese^[20]^[21].
New Zealand Orthodox Churches are found many locations. See also Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, Philippines
New Zealand Oriental Orthodox Churches are also found in many places.

Christianity in Oceania

Oceania is 90% Christian ^[22] and consists of thousands of Islands. Including Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

American Samoa

American Samoa is a USA territory. Christianity is the dominant religion in American Samoa, with about 98% of the population identifying as Christian. The main denominations include Protestantism, particularly the Congregational Christian Church, and Roman Catholicism.^[23]

Cook Islands

The religion most represented in the Cook Islands is Christianity with around 84.2% of the population identifying with one of the Cook Islands’ main Christian denominations^[24].

Easter Island

The primary Christian denomination in Easter Island is Roman Catholicism, with the Holy Cross Church being a significant place of worship.

Federated States of Micronesia

Federated States of Micronesia about 97% Christian. 55% of the population identify as Roman Catholics and about 42% as Protestant^[25].

Fiji

Fiji is 65% Christian^[26]

French Polynesia

Christianity is the dominant religion in French Polynesia, with the largest group being the Maói Protestant Church^[27], which accounts for over 50% of the population. Other denominations include the Roman Catholic Church, the Christian Church^[28] and others^[29].

Guam

Guam is USA territory. The predominant religion in Guam is Christianity, with about 94% of the population identifying as Christian, primarily Roman Catholic^[30].

Kiribati

Republic of Kiribati is about 96% Christian. The largest denominations are Roman Catholicism (approximately 58.9%) and the Kiribati Uniting Church (21.2%).^[31]

Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands is about 96.2% Christian divide among various Christian denominations, including the United Church of Christ and the Assemblies of God^[32].

Nauru

Nauru is 90.6% Christian^[33]

New Caledonia

The predominant religion in New Caledonia is Christianity, with about half of the population being Catholic, primarily among Europeans and some Melanesians. There are also significant Protestant communities^[34]

Niue

Niue is mostly Christian^[35]. The Congregational Christian Church of Niue^[36], accounts for about 61.7% of the population. Other religions present include Mormonism, Roman Catholicism.

Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands is a USA territory. The predominant religion in the Northern Mariana Islands is Roman Catholicism, followed by Protestantism ^[37]

Palau

Most Palauans are Christians. The Roman Catholic Church holds the largest number of members at about 65% of the population. Other significant denominations include the Evangelical Church, the Seventh-Day Adventists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Jehovah's Witnesses^[38].

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is Christian 95.6% as of 2011. Papua New Guinea is home to diverse Christian communities. Among those who identify as Christian, 26% identify as Roman Catholic Church, 18.4% as Lutheran, 12.9% as Seventh-Day Adventist, 10.4% as Pentecostal, 10.3% as United Church, 5.9% as Evangelical Alliance^[39], 3.2% as Anglican, 2.8% as Baptist, 0.4% as Salvation Army and a further 5.3% with other Christian denominations^[40]

Pitcairn Island

The primary Christian denomination in Pitcairn Island is the Seventh-Day Adventist, which has been present since 1890. Almost the entire population of 35 is identified as Adventist^[41].

Samoa

Christianity is the religion of the majority in Samoa. Protestantism is the largest 52.6% of the population are Protestant Christians. Among them, Congregationalists and Methodists represent 29% and 12.4% of the population, respectively. Roman Catholics represent 18.8% of the population.

Solomon Islands

Christianity is the dominant religion in the Solomon Islands. Protestantism is the biggest with 73.4% of the population. 19.6% of the residents of the Solomon Islands are Roman Catholics ^[42].

Tokelau

Christian denominations in Tokelau are the Congregational Christian Church, which comprises about 50.4% of the population, and the Roman Catholic Church, which accounts for approximately 38.7% and other smaller denominations^[43].

Tonga

Protestantism is the biggest religion in Tonga. Followers of this religion account for 64.9% of the population of the country. 16.8% of the population are Mormons, Roman Catholicism constitute 15.6% of the population ^[44]

Tuvalu

Christianity is the predominant religion in Tuvalu 94% of Tuvalu's population are Protestant Christians. More than 91% of Protestant Christians in Tuvalu are members of the Church of Tuvalu^[45], 3% are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and about 4.6% belong to the Brethren Church. There is also a small population of Roman Catholics^[46].

Vanuatu

Christianity is the largest religion in Vanuatu. Protestant Christians account for about 70% of the population of the country. 12.4% of the population practice Roman Catholicism.^[47].

Wallis and Futuna

Wallis and Futuna has about 99% of the population identifying as being member of Roman Catholicism^[48].

References

Click on a Category, below for more information.

[1] ttps://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/7E65A144540551D7CA258148000E2B85

[2] ttps://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/christianity-christianity-australia-and-new-zealand

[3] ttps://www.abs.gov.au/articles/religious-affiliation-australia

[4] ttps://actsglobal.church/

[5] ttps://www.baptist.org.au/

[6] ttps://cofcaustralia.org.au/about-us/

[7] ttps://feca.org.au/

[8] ttps://presbyterian.org.au/

[9] ttps://www.quakersaustralia.org.au/

[10] ttps://localchristianlife.com.au/church-denominations-in-australia/

[11] ttps://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/new-zealand-culture/new-zealand-culture-religion

[12] ttps://www.methodist.org.nz/

[13] ttps://baptist.nz/

[14] ttps://www.christianchurches.co.nz/our-churches

[15] ttps://teara.govt.nz/en/interdenominational-christianity/page-5

[16] ttps://www.pentecostnz.com/about-us

[17] ttps://presbyterian.org.au/

[18] ttp://www.quaker.org.nz/

[19] ttps://localchristianlife.com.au/church-denominations-in-australia/

[20] ttps://www.catholic.org.nz/about-us/dioceses-and-bishops/

[21] ttps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-in-new-zealand.html

[22] ttps://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/05/pacific-islands-christianity-oceania-climate-change/

[23] ttps://joshuaproject.net/countries/aq

[24] ttps://cookislandspocketguide.com/the-guide-to-the-religions-in-the-cook-islands/

[25] ttps://www.catholicsandcultures.org/micronesia-federated-states

[26] ttps://fijipocketguide.com/guide-to-the-religions-in-fiji/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-1

[27] ttps://www.oikoumene.org/member-churches/maohi-protestant-church

[28] ttps://thewitness.org/christianity-in-french-polynesia/

[29] ttps://www.originaltravel.co.uk/travel-guide/french-polynesia/culture

[30] ttps://www.indexmundi.com/guam/religions.html

[31] ttps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religion-in-kiribati-important-facts-and-figures.html

[32] ttps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-the-marshall-islands.html

[33] ttps://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%2Fid%2FOIP.CjnaeKRlvANZ8Eebhhvt8gAAAA%3Fcb%3D12%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=901d142d331ccab38fa4e71158371b6af79aca1fa162df35e774cbdb64bcbbf2&ipo=images

[34] ttps://newcaledoniatoday.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/religion-and-healing-practices-in-new-caledonia/

[35] ttps://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/niue/

[36] ttps://www.oikoumene.org/member-churches/congregational-christian-church-of-niue

[37] ttps://www.bimi.org/countries/northMariana.php

[38] ttps://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Palau-RELIGIONS.html

[39] ttps://www.spea.org.nz/

[40] ttps://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/papua-new-guinean-culture/papua-new-guinean-culture-religion

[41] ttps://heritage.adventistchurch.com/pitcairn-islands/

[42] ttps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-the-solomon-islands.html

[43] ttps://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tokelau-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html

[44] ttps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-tonga.html

[45] ttps://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Tuvalu_Christian_Church

[46] ttps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-major-religions-practised-in-tuvalu.html

[47] ttps://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-vanuatu.html

[48] ttps://www.zionchristianministry.com/international/oceania/wallis-and-futana/

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Christianity in Australia

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