U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2006 - Grenada

International Religious Freedom Report 2006

Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, September 15, 2006. Covers the period from July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006.

The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respected this right in practice.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report, and government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion.

The generally amicable relationship among religious groups in society contributed to religious freedom.

The U.S. government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.

Section I. Religious Demography

The country, including Carriacou and Petite Martinique, has an area of 133 square miles and a population of slightly more than 100,000. Approximately 93,000 persons live on the island of Grenada, 7,000 on Carriacou, and 900 on Petite Martinique. Sixty-four percent of the general population was Roman Catholic, 22 percent was Anglican, 3 percent Methodist, and 3 percent Seventh-day Adventist. Other denominations included Presbyterian, Church of God, Baptist, Pentecostal, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and Mennonite. There were an estimated 5,000 Rastafarians. There were also approximately 500 Muslims, including foreign medical students at St. George's University, and an estimated 150 Baha'is.

Reportedly more than 60 percent of the population regularly participated in formal religious services.

Section II. Status of Religious Freedom

Legal/Policy Framework

The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respected this right in practice. The Government at all levels sought to protect this right in full and did not tolerate its abuse, either by governmental or private actors.

The Government is secular and does not interfere with an individual's right to worship.

The Christian holy days of Good Friday, Corpus Christi, Easter, Whit Monday, and Christmas are national holidays.

Religious groups must register with the Prime Minister's Office, which is responsible for issuing licenses for religious groups, buildings, and events. Registration entitles them to some customs and import tax exemptions.

Restrictions on Religious Freedom

Government policy and practice contributed to the generally free practice of religion.

There were no reports of religious prisoners or detainees in the country.

Forced Religious Conversion

There were no reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.

Section III. Societal Abuses and Discrimination

The generally amicable relationship among religious groups in society contributed to religious freedom.

Hurricane Ivan damaged 98 percent of the churches on the island in 2004. Faith-based organizations worked together to repair or refurbish most of the damaged churches; however, at the end of the period covered by this report, the largest in St. George's remained roofless.

Section IV. U.S. Government Policy

The U.S. government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.