Not even a reigning Argentinian pope could arrest the continuing conversion of Catholics in Latin American countries into Protestanism.
In a new report released by the Pew Research Center, it was found out that the number of Catholics have reached record low in 19 Latin American countries and one US territory, reports Christianity Today.
The proportion of Catholics in Latin America has dropped by 25% since 1970, falling from 92% to the current 69%, according to the study of the Pew Research Center.
"Latin American is home to more than 425 million Catholics, (which represents) nearly 40% of the world's total Catholic population. The Roman Catholic Church now has a Latin American pope (Pope Francis) for the first time in its history. Yet, identification with Catholicism has declined throughout the major region," states the Pew Research Center.
The Guardian noted that one of the primary drivers for the declining number of Catholics in Latin America is the conversion to Protestanism.
"The Pew Resarch Center study has found that over the same period of time (from 1970 to present), (the number of) Protestants has grown to 19%, while the number (of people) that define themselves as religiously unaffiliated has risen to 8%," states the report.
"Evangelization efforts by Protestant churches seem to be having an impact," notes the Pew Research Center study.
Most of the current Latin American Protestants were raised as Catholics and the conversion occurred during the span of a single lifetime, adds the report.
"The trend holds true across people of all ages and socio-economic levels, but in most (Latin American) countries, pluralities converted before the age of 25," states Christianity Today.
Of the 19 Latin American nations and one US territory included in the study, Columbia has the most number of Protestant conversions from Catholics at 74%, with Panama bringing up the rear with a still high 15% conversion rate.
Reasons Why Latinos Convert to Protestanism
The Pew Research Center report also identified the major reasons why Latin Americans convert to Protestanism from being Catholics, based on a survey of a good number of respondents made in the study.
The reasons, and their respective percentages, according to the Pew Research Center report, are:
1. Seeking personal connection with God - 81%
2. Enjoy style of worship at new church - 69%
3. Wanted greater emphasis on morality - 60%
4. Found church that helps member more - 59%
5. Outreach by new church - 58%
6. Personal problems - 20%
7. Seeking better financial future - 14%
8. Marriage to non-Catholic - 9%