SUMMARY

Christians represent the majority population of the Philippines, comprising over 90% of the total population of the country. The vast majority of Christians in the Philippines are Roman Catholic, followed by small numbers of Protestants and adherents of various Charismatic Christian movements. The Roman Catholic Church is highly influential in many aspects of Philippine society, and church attendance is high (estimated at 60%-65% in 2002).

Christianity is followed by the vast majority of the population of most areas of the Philippines, including Manila, the capital. The only exception is the Mindanao region of the country. As such, in five provinces in Western Mindanao (Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) Sunni Islam is followed by more adherents than Christianity, while in other areas of Mindanao, such as Davao, Cotabato or Zamboanga, there are both sizable Muslim and Christian populations.

While sectarian violence does not characterize most Christian communities in the Philippines, there were some significant incidents, primarily concentrated in various areas of Mindanao.

Christians in the Philippines have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.