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==Historical Background== | ==Historical Background== | ||
*The largest Christian group in Namibia is the Lutheran church, which consists of three church denominations. | *The largest Christian group in Namibia is the Lutheran church, which consists of three church denominations. | ||
**The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) grew out of the work of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (earlier known as the Finnish Missionary Society) which began in 1870 among the Ovambo and Kavango people. | **The '''Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN)''' grew out of the work of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (earlier known as the Finnish Missionary Society) which began in 1870 among the Ovambo and Kavango people. | ||
**The Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) grew out of the work of the Rhenish Missionary Society from Germany which began working in the area in 1842. | **The '''Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN)''' grew out of the work of the Rhenish Missionary Society from Germany which began working in the area in 1842. | ||
**The German-speaking Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN-GELC) is the smallest of the three churches (approximately 4,500 members). | **The German-speaking '''Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia... (ELCIN-GELC)''' is the smallest of the three churches (approximately 4,500 members). | ||
*The second-largest Christian denomination is Roman Catholicism, and accounts for more than 20% of the population. It consists of three jurisdictions - the two dioceses of Windhoek and Keetmanshoop, and the Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu which is in the process of becoming a third diocese. An apostolic prefecture was established as early as 1892, but the current metropolitan province and ecclesiastical structure was erected more recently, in 1994. | *The second-largest Christian denomination is '''Roman Catholicism''', and accounts for more than 20% of the population. It consists of three jurisdictions - the two dioceses of Windhoek and Keetmanshoop, and the Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu which is in the process of becoming a third diocese. An apostolic prefecture was established as early as 1892, but the current metropolitan province and ecclesiastical structure was erected more recently, in 1994. | ||
*The Anglican Church consists of a single diocese (Anglican Diocese of Namibia), forming part of the Metropolitan province of Southern Africa. It is strongest in the north of the country. The Anglican church worships principally in the English and Kwanyama languages. | *The '''Anglican Church''' consists of a single diocese (Anglican Diocese of Namibia), forming part of the Metropolitan province of Southern Africa. It is strongest in the north of the country. The Anglican church worships principally in the English and Kwanyama languages. | ||
*Smaller numbers are affiliated with the '''Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), the New Apostolic Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Branhamism''', a number of '''Zionist Churches''' (practicing a mixture of traditional African beliefs), and '''Pentecostal Christianity'''. The '''Dutch Reformed Church''' of Namibia is predominantly made up of members of the Afrikaner ethnic group.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Religion in Namibia", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Namibia, accessed 24 March 2020. </ref> | *Smaller numbers are affiliated with the '''Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), the New Apostolic Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Branhamism''', a number of '''Zionist Churches''' (practicing a mixture of traditional African beliefs), and '''Pentecostal Christianity'''. The '''Dutch Reformed Church''' of Namibia is predominantly made up of members of the Afrikaner ethnic group.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Religion in Namibia", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Namibia, accessed 24 March 2020. </ref> | ||