2014 Report on International Religious Freedom - Grenada

Executive Summary

The constitution protects freedom of conscience, including freedom of thought and of religion. The prime minister, at the request of Chabad-Lubavitch, named a chief rabbi in March which facilitated the opening of a Chabad Center to serve the country's Jewish population.

There were no reports of significant societal actions affecting religious freedom.

The U.S. Charge d'Affaires and embassy staff met with the government and members of the country's religious communities to discuss religious freedom in law and in practice. The Charge also attended the holiday celebrations of minority religious groups as an expression of support for tolerance and religious freedom.

Section I. Religious Demography

The U.S. government estimates the total population at 110,152 (July 2014 estimate). According to the 2013 census, 53 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, 13.8 percent is Anglican, and 31.2 percent represent other faiths, primarily Protestant churches. Religious groups whose adherents in total number at least 2 percent of the population include Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, members of the Church of God, and evangelical groups. Smaller groups include Jehovah's Witnesses, Brethren, Bahais, Hindus, Moravians, Muslims, Rastafarians, Mennonites, and members of the Salvation Army and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). There is a small Jewish community, consisting almost exclusively of students and staff of St. George's University.

Section II. Status of Government Respect for Religious Freedom

Legal Framework

The constitution ensures "freedom of conscience, including freedom of thought and of religion."

Certain types of religious headdresses are permissible in photographs for national identity documents provided the face is visible and not shadowed. The law does not prohibit spoken blasphemy. The Criminal Code prohibits written blasphemous, vulgar language. Conviction for this carries up to two years of imprisonment, although this section of the law is rarely, if ever, enforced.

To qualify for customs tax exemptions and other privileges, religious groups must register with the Supreme Court Registry, and then with Inland Revenue and provide a concession letter to the Ministry of Finance. Applications are routinely granted.

Foreign missionaries require either a worker's permit or a waiver from the minister of labor. Foreign missionaries must demonstrate prior experience and have the sponsorship of a registered religious group.

Government Practices

The government funded public schools administered by "traditional" Christian denominations, including Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventists and Mennonite communities. In accordance with the constitution's protections for freedom of conscience and religion, students at such schools were not obliged to attend religion classes.

At the request of the Chabad Center, the prime minister named a chief rabbi in March. This decision facilitated the opening of a Chabad Center to serve the country's Jewish community.

Section III. Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom

The Conference of Churches in Grenada continued to facilitate closer relations among various religious groups.

Section IV. U.S. Government Policy

The U.S. embassy engaged with government officials and religious leaders to underscore the importance of religious freedom. The U.S. Charge d'Affaires and embassy staff met with religious groups to discuss religious freedom and other social issues. The Charge attended holiday celebrations of minority religious groups in support of tolerance and religious freedom.