A new study found that 97 percent of Venezuelans believe in God, with the majority regularly engaging in prayer, even after over two decades of aggressive attacks against the Church by Venezuela’s socialist regime. The survey, titled “Religious Sociography: The Religiosity of Venezuelans,” was conducted by Delphos in partnership with the Jesuit-affiliated Gumilla Foundation. The findings highlight the enduring Christian faith of the Venezuelan people despite ongoing persecution and manipulation of religion by the Maduro government.
The report shows that 63 percent of Venezuelans identify as Catholic, 16 percent as Evangelical Christians, and another six percent as members of other Christian denominations. Only eight percent reported having no religious affiliation. A majority of adults—49 percent—want their children raised in the Catholic faith, while 30 percent prefer their children choose their spiritual path independently.
Belief in God was described as “almost unanimous,” with 97 percent affirming belief in God and a similar number expressing belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. While 72 percent of respondents say they pray frequently, only 40 percent attend Mass or read the Bible regularly. Just 15 percent actively participate in sacraments such as Confession or the Eucharist. Most Venezuelans cited family wellbeing and health as their primary reasons for prayer.
The socialist regime’s hostility toward the Church dates back to 1999 under Hugo Chávez, who frequently denounced Catholic leaders critical of his Marxist rule. In 2007, he told Evangelical critics to “go to Hell” and labeled Jesus Christ “the first socialist.” His regime began appropriating Christian imagery for political use, culminating in a blasphemous rewrite of the Lord’s Prayer to glorify Chávez after his death.
Under Nicolás Maduro, the repression has continued. In 2018, he ordered investigations into bishops who condemned state-induced hunger and corruption, labeling clergy as “devils in cassocks.” Like Chávez, Maduro has manipulated religious symbols for political gain, including launching propaganda cartoons and unilaterally moving Christmas celebrations to October. His version of socialism often includes appeals to divine support for policies that have deepened economic and social crises.
Despite this, 53 percent of Venezuelans still see the Catholic Church as capable of helping to heal the nation’s political divides. Nearly half of respondents continue to view the Church favorably, though past scandals and regime propaganda have influenced public perception.
The Venezuelan people’s resilience in faith reflects a deep-rooted spirituality that has withstood both economic collapse and authoritarian attempts to undermine traditional Christian values.
