Dominican Republic

Capital: Santo Domingo

Major Language: Spanish

Area: 48,671 km2

Population: 11 million

HDI Rank: 88 of 189

Major Religion:

Catholic: 8.5 million (75%)

Other Religions:

Protestant: 2.5 million (20%)

Other: 0.5 million (5%)

General Information:

Dominican Republic (D.R.) was under Spanish rule for more than 300 years, since the 1500s. The nation has endured a process of colonization and independence four times and it finally gained independence from the U.S. in 1924. Dominican society is the “cradle of blackness” in the Americas. Blacks and Mulattoes (a mixed African and European ancestry), make up 90% of the population. The nation’s flag is the only flag in the world to feature a Bible. D.R. is famous for beautiful beaches and rum, and coffee is the national drink. Baseball is the most popular sport.

Religious Background:

The Constitution of the Dominican Republic provides for the freedom of religion. Catholicism is the state religion, enjoying special privileges from the government. Afro-Spiritism influenced by Cuban Santeria and Haitian voodoo, is prominent and has influenced the beliefs of many Catholics. Though the Catholic Church forbids the practice of voodoo, people learned to disguise the spirits as Catholic saints. The dominance of the Catholic Church has diminished in the last several decades. The Protestant evangelical movement has been gaining momentum.

Catholic background:

Catholicism was introduced by Columbus and the Spanish missionaries in 1492. By the 16th century, Catholicism was widespread throughout the country and even today is an important force in shaping society. Catholicism found in Dominican Republic is mixed with elements of the native people’s traditions and other external practices especially from Western Africa. Practicing Catholics have substantially decreased in recent years. The Church is composed of 2 archdioceses, 9 dioceses and 569 parishes. Patron saints: Our Lady of Altagracia, Dominic.

Prayer Points

1. Dominicans to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior

Pray that everyone will get an opportunity to hear the gospel and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2. Catholics to know Christ

Pray for the salvation of 8.5 million Catholics in Dominican Republic.
Catholicism is mixed with Afro-Spiritism and most are secular. Ask God to for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to bring many to salvation through Jesus Christ.
Pray that spiritual strongholds that keep Catholics from knowing Christ will crumble.
Ask God to help Catholics know that the moment they put their trust in Jesus, they are no longer under God’s condemnation, but are eternally saved.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 290 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 878 priests, 605 brothers and 1723 sisters.
Pray that the gospel will continue to reach into every Catholic community and that multitudes would come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

The Evangelical church in the Dominican Republic is growing rapidly. The percentage rose from 12% in 2008 to 30% in 2020. Pray that the growth might be both in godliness as well as number. Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to the mission agencies that are focusing on sharing the gospel in the country.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

The country is known as the “drug trafficking heart of the Caribbean”. Exploitation of the land and the people, poor education and violence against women are some of the other issues. Pray for many to discover the living Christ and be set free.

5. Other Religions

The other religious groups include Islam, Judaism and Eastern religions among others. There is a great need for the gospel to be preached to them. Pray that as they hear the word of God, faith will arise in their hearts to believe in Jesus.