Lithuania

Lithuania

POPULATION 3,601,138
ROMAN CATHOLIC 72.6 percent
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN 6.5 percent
PROTESTANT 1.6 percent
MUSLIM 0.1 percent
JEWISH 0.1 percent
ETHNORELIGIOUS 0.1 percent
UNAFFILIATED 19 percent

Country Overview

Introduction

The Republic of Lithuania, a small country with an area of 25,000 square miles, is located on the Baltic Sea. From 1940 to 1990 it was one of 15 republics of the Soviet Union. Lithuanians and Poles make up 83 and 7 percent, respectively, of the country's population, and both profess Roman Catholicism. For several centuries Lithuania and Poland were united as one kingdom, and it was Jogaila, grand duke of Lithuania, who agreed in 1385 to submit his nation to Catholic baptism when he accepted the crown of Poland. The Catholic Church subsequently became by far the largest and most influential religious organization in Lithuania.

Religious Tolerance

Lithuania does not have a state religion. The constitution guarantees freedom of conscience, and there are amicable relations between the various faiths. The constitution and the Law on Religious Communities give special status, however, to nine religious groups: Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, Russian Orthodox, Orthodox Old Believers, Evangelical Lutheran, Evangelical Reformed, Jewish, Sunni Islam, and Karaite. These so-called traditional religions are eligible for governmental financial assistance and enjoy privileges such as tax exemptions, permission to teach religion in public schools, and time on national television.

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