Catalonia has experienced a remarkable demographic transformation over the past two decades, with the number of evangelical churches doubling from 341 in 2004 to 894 in 2025. In the city of Barcelona, the number of these churches is approaching that of Catholic churches, with 208 evangelical churches compared to 225 Catholic ones. This growth reflects the influence of Latin American immigrants who are the driving force behind this expansion.
The evangelical churches in Catalonia encompass a diverse range of denominations, including Pentecostal and neo-Pentecostal movements, which share many values and principles. Among these values, the significance of prosperity theology stands out, along with conservative stances on issues such as abortion and sexual identities, as well as the role of charismatic leaders in establishing these churches.
Details of the Event
Historically, evangelical churches were not new to Catalonia, as classical Protestantism began to spread in Spain in the nineteenth century. However, they did not have a significant social impact until the end of the twentieth century. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Spain witnessed a drug epidemic, leading to the emergence of some evangelical movements that began to expand slowly. But the real explosion came with the onset of the new millennium, as the number of immigrants from Latin America increased, contributing to the rise in the number of churches and missionaries.
In the early years of the millennium, Protestantism in America underwent a profound transformation due to internal reorganization inspired by movements that emerged in the United States, characterized by prosperity theology and emotional worship led by charismatic figures. Nevertheless, Catholicism remains the dominant religion in Catalonia, representing about 60% of the population, while Muslims account for approximately 7%.
Background & Context
Over the past two decades, Catalonia has welcomed more than two million immigrants, most of whom are from Latin America. This demographic change coincides with the increase in the number of evangelical churches, which rose from 341 to 894 during the same period. In Barcelona, evangelical churches represent 34% of places of worship, while Catholic churches represent 44%.
These churches serve as important social spaces for immigrants, providing them with support and community. For example, many Colombian immigrants participate in evangelical churches as a means to find support, share experiences, and build social networks.
Impact & Consequences
This phenomenon raises numerous questions about its impact on society and politics. Although most evangelicals in Catalonia come from Latin America, there are strong cultural ties between them and the Spanish community. However, there are currently no in-depth studies linking religious identity and political participation.
Some research indicates that the discourse in some of these churches resembles that of far-right political parties, although religious leaders do not directly instruct their followers on how to vote. Nevertheless, the values and beliefs promoted in these churches influence individuals' daily lives.
Regional Significance
This phenomenon is particularly significant for the Arab world, as it reflects the demographic and religious transformations that may affect multicultural communities. It also highlights the importance of understanding how religion influences politics and society in different contexts, which may help foster intercultural dialogue.
In conclusion, the increasing growth of evangelical churches in Catalonia reflects a demographic and cultural transformation that could have wide-ranging implications for Spanish society and relations between different cultures.