Religion in Slovenia

Religion in Slovenia (2019)[1]

  Roman Catholicism (72.1%)
  Protestantism (0.9%)
  Other Christian (1%)
  None (18%)
  Islam (3%)
  Other religion (3%)
  Undeclared (2%)
Basilica of the Virgin Mary in Brezje, also known as the Slovenian National Shrine, is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in Slovenia
Lutheran church in Bodonci in the Prekmurje region
Sts. Cyril and Methodius Serbian Orthodox Church of the Metropolitanate of Zagreb and Ljubljana

The dominant religion in Slovenia is Christianity, primarily the Catholic Church, which is the largest Christian denomination in the country. Other Christian groups having significant followings in the country include Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism (Lutheranism). Islam, Judaism and Hinduism are small minorities in Slovenia. About 18% of the population are either agnostic or atheist.[2][3]

Religion played a significant role in the development of the Slovenian nation and of the country of Slovenia.[citation needed] After a centuries-long tradition of a state church, interrupted by the periods of Protestant Reformation (in the 16th century) and post–World War II socialism (which ousted religion from the public life), a degree of separation of the state and the church has been reached in independent Slovenia. In February 2007 Slovenia passed a new Religious Freedom Act with a bias towards the Catholic Church (particularly in regard to state funding) and strict terms for the registration of new religious communities.[3]

  1. ^ "Special Eurobarometer 493, European Union: European Commission, September 2019, pages 229-230". ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  2. ^ Slovenia Statistical Office. Population by religion, statistical regions, Census 2002.
  3. ^ a b Črnič, Aleš; Komel, Mirt; Smrke, Marjan; Šabec, Ksenija; Vovk, Tina (2013). "Religious Pluralisation in Slovenia". Teorija in Praksa. 50 (1). University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sociology, Political Sciences and Journalism: 205–232, 264. ISSN 0040-3598. COBISS 31869277.