Christianity in Oman

Christianity is the religion of 6.5% of the population of Oman, which are about 300,000 persons. 90 Christian congregations exist in Oman.[1]

Almost all Christians are from other countries.[2] Most of them are from the Philippines, India or Western countries.[3] At least one St Thomas Christian church is present in Oman.[4] More than 50 different Christian groups, fellowships, and assemblies are active in the Muscat metropolitan area.[5] The Protestant Church of Oman, the Catholic Diocese of Oman and the al Amana Center (interdenominational Christian) are recognized by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.[6] There are Christian schools in Oman.[7]

Proselytizing Muslims is forbidden.[8] There are, however, cases in which a Muslim will adopt the Christian faith, secretly declaring his/her conversion. In effect, they are practicing Christians, but legally Muslims; thus, the statistics of Omani Christians does not include Muslim converts to Christianity. Instruction in Islam is compulsory in public schools.[9] A 2015 study estimates a mere 200 believers in Christ from a Muslim background in the country, and not all of those are necessarily citizens.[10]

Eastern Orthodoxy

Eastern Orthodox Christians in Oman are under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Archdiocese of Baghdad, Kuwait and Dependencies, that belongs to the Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. The main center of Eastern Orthodoxy in Oman is the Parish in Masqat, headed by priest Michael Ajram.[11]

Catholicism

According to the 2005 census 3,001 Catholics live in Oman. Oman belongs to the area of the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia. 21 Catholic congregations exist in Oman.[12]

Protestantism

0.4% of the persons in Oman are Protestants.[13] Oman belongs to the area of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.[14] 21 Protestant denominations are present in Oman.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Middle East OMAN". CIA The World Factbook.
  2. ↑ "Operation World".
  3. ↑ "Commission Magazine on international Christian Missions".
  4. ↑ "Central Valley Christian Schools".
  5. ↑ "U. S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2007".
  6. ↑ "U. S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2007".
  7. ↑ "Page in German on Christians in Muslim countries".
  8. ↑ "The Voice of the Martyrs".
  9. ↑ "U. S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2007".
  10. ↑ Johnstone, Patrick; Miller, Duane Alexander (2015). "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: a global census". IJRR. 11: 17. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  11. ↑ Official Page of the Eastern Orthodox Archdiocese of Baghdad, Kuwait and Dependencies
  12. ↑ "Oman Facts".
  13. ↑ "Un Coeur pour le Monde".
  14. ↑ "Anglicans Online".
  15. ↑ "Oman Facts".
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