Figure 1.--The Madagascar photo postcard was taken abiut 1930. A group of altar boys are wearing cassocks and surplices as in France. The priest in the back row is wearing the traditional French priests collar. However, as almost all Malagasy children, these altar boys went barefoot. They belonged to the Betsileo ethnicity which is predominately Catholic.

Traditional beliefs were very strongly held in Madagascar. Despite Arab control of the Indian Ocean for centuries, unlike East Africa, Islam seems to have few inroads on Madagascar. Nor did Hinduism reach Madagascar from India. The Christian Portuguese reached reached Madagascar as part of the European outreach for a sea route to China (1500). There was a first little interest in the island. Observers believe that about 40 percent of the Malagasy are today Christians divided among several different denominations. Christianity reached Madagascar first with the Portuguese. There was, however, little effort to convert the Malagasy. Christianity in Madagascar thus spread slowly. An even converted Christians incorporated elements of ancient tribal worship in their Christian worship. The French colonial era brought a serious effort by missionaries to convert the Malagasy (19th century). There was a reaction among the Malagasy. This meant primarily Catholics, but Protestant missionary activity was began in the late-19th century. Queen Ranavalona I (1828-61) is sometimes called the 'Mad Monarch of Madagascar'. She expelled foreign missionaries and persecuted Malagasy Christians. Some were even put to death. This changed with her death. With the advent of King Ranavalona II, the traditional religion was targeted. Authorities began to destroy old sampy (idols or talismans endowed with supernatural powers to protect the kingdom). Protestantism was adopted by royal family. The conflict between Christianity and traditional beliefs has evolved into a more tolerant relation, developed in part because of considerable mutual assimilation. We note a Protestant missionary family in Ambatomanga during 1901. Today the Malagasy are about evenly divided between Roman Catholics and Protestants. This is surprising because the country was a French colony, but reflects the influence of the monarchy. ou would think the Catholic share would be higher. Many villages in the central highlands have two competing churches, one Protestant and one Roman Catholic. Commonly they face each other, situated at at opposite ends of the village. Religious affiliation shows some regional differences. The Roman Catholic church is particularly strong among the Betsileo people in the southern area of the central highlands. There are social class differences. Former slaves and the lower classes are commonly Catholic. Protestantism is strongest among the Merina and upper classes of the central highlands. The Council of Christian Churches played a key role in resolving the conflict stemming from the violence and general strikes (May and August 1991). We have limited information on Madagascar Christianity, but there is a First Communion page.

Religions

Madagascar was bassically uninhabitedb (until about the first mellenium AD). The sea-faring Indonesian people were the first to arrive. Traditional beliefs became firmly implanted. The Arabs reached Madaagascar (about 800 AD), but they did not implant Islam. Despite Arab control of the Indian Ocean for centuries, unlike East Africa, Islam seems to have few inroads on Madagascar. Nor did Hinduism reach Madagascar from India. The first Christians to rach Madagascar were the Portuguese trying to reach India and China. The first was Diogo Dias (1500). The Portuguese and other Europeans exhubited little interest in the island and no atemptv was mde to convert the popultion. Pirates dominaed coastal waters, not an attractive enviroment for missionaries (17th century).

Christian History

Christianity reached Madagascar first with the Vatholioc Portuguese. There was, however, at first little effort to convert the Malagasy. Christianity in Madagascar thus spread slowly. An even converted Christians incorporated elements of ancient tribal worship in their Christian worship. Protestants made the first inroads because of influence with rhe croyal family (19h century). The French colonial era brought a serious effort by missionaries to convert the Malagasy (19th century). There was a reaction among the Malagasy. This meant primarily Catholics, but Protestant missionary activity was began in the late-19th century. Queen Ranavalona I (1828-61) is sometimes called the 'Mad Monarch of Madagascar'. She expelled foreign missionaries and persecuted Malagasy Christians. Some were even put to death. This changed with her death. With the advent of King Ranavalona II, the traditional religion was targeted. Authorities began to destroy old sampy (idols or talismans endowed with supernatural powers to protect the kingdom). Catholics began to spread after France established a colonial presence (1896).

Prevalence

Observers believe that about 40 percent of the Malagasy are today Christians.

Denonimations

There are four main religious denominations in Madadagascar: 1) the Roman Catholic Church (EKAR), 2) the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM), 3) the Malagasy Episcopal Church (Eklesia Episkopaly Malagasy/Anglican Church), and 4) the Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM). 【CCCM】 There are also several smaller denominations. Protestantism was adopted by royal family and became the first imprtant churches. Catholocism only became imprtant when Franve colonized Madagascar. The conflict between Christianity and traditional beliefs has evolved into a more tolerant relation, developed in part because of considerable mutual assimilation. We note a Protestant missionary family in Ambatomanga during 1901. Today the Malagasy are about evenly divided between Roman Catholics and Protestants. This is surprising because the country was a French colony, but reflects the influence of the monarchy. ou would think the Catholic share would be higher. Many villages in the central highlands have two competing churches, one Protestant and one Roman Catholic. Commonly they face each other, situated at at opposite ends of the village. Religious affiliation shows some regional differences. The Roman Catholic church is particularly strong among the Betsileo people in the southern area of the central highlands. There are social class differences. Former slaves and the lower classes are commonly Catholic. Protestantism is strongest among the Merina and upper classes of the central highlands. The spread of Catholocism primarily spread after France made Madagascar a colony. We have limited information on Madagascar Christianity, but there is a First Communion page. Council of Christian Churches (CCCM) in Madagascar works to promote unity, dialog, and collective action the Chrustian community. 【Hall】 The CCCM consists of elected representatives from member churches.

Civic Role

The Council of Christian Churches played a key role in resolving the conflict stemming from the violence and general strikes (May and August 1991).

Sources

Council of Christian Churches in Madagascar (CCCMM). Organization Website (2019).

Hall, J.L. (1990). "Response to The Report from the Third Quinquennium of the Dialogue between the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church and Some Classical Pentecostal Churches and Leaders (1985-1989)". Pneuma. Vol. 12, No. 1 (1990), pp. 152–54.

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Created: 6:12 AM 12/7/2012
Last updated: 1:53 PM 7/5/2024