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Information released online from January 20, 2009 to January 20, 2017.
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The constitution provides for religious freedom. There were no reports of significant government actions affecting religious freedom.
There were no reports of significant societal actions affecting religious freedom.
Embassy officials met with the government and religious groups throughout the year to discuss religious freedom issues.
The U.S. government estimates the total population is 21,000 (July 2014 estimate). Approximately 65 percent is Roman Catholic. Other religious groups include the Evangelical Church, which makes up approximately 10 percent of the population, and Seventh-day Adventists, constituting 5 percent. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) makes up more than 1 percent, and Jehovah’s Witnesses represent less than 1 percent. Modekngei, an indigenous religious group that embraces both animist and Christian beliefs, is approximately 9 percent of the population. Within the foreign community of more than 4,000 individuals, the majority is Filipino Catholic. There is also a small group of Bangladeshi Muslims.
The constitution provides for freedom of religion. It stipulates that there will be no state religion but allows the state to fund “private or parochial” schools for non-religious purposes.
The law requires religious groups to obtain charters as nonprofit organizations from the Office of the Attorney General. As nonprofit organizations, religious groups and mission agencies are exempt from paying taxes. Foreign missionaries are required under law to obtain missionary permits at the Office of Immigration.
The law prohibits religious instruction in public schools. Representatives of any religious group, however, may request government financial support for religious schools.
