Bennett Briggs

Although only about 7% of the population attends religious services regularly, roughly 80% of Latvia identifies itself as Christian. Lutherans accounts for 34%, 24% are Catholic, and 18% are Russian Orthodox with the remaining 20% scattered between other religions or those who profess no religious affiliation.

The constitution of Latvia and other laws and policies protect religious freedom and the government is tolerant and respectful of citizen’s religious choices. While there is no official state religion, the law gives eight religious groups a number of rights and privileges not given to others. These groups are also members of the government’s Ecclesiastical Council and include Lutherans, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Old Believers, Baptists, Methodists, Seventh-day Adventists, and Jews.

Any 20 citizens over the age of 18 by law may apply to register a religious group and ten or more congregations of the same faith or denomination, with permanent registration status, may apply for and form a religious association. The government does not require religious groups to register, but the law accords registered religious groups a number of rights and privileges otherwise not given, including legal status, which allows them to own property and conduct financial transactions. Registration also allows religious groups to hold services in public places such as parks or public squares.

There were reports of mild societal discrimination based on religious affiliation, mainly anti-Semitic incidents, including vandalism and anti-Semitic statements.

Latvia has done a remarkable job helping all religious groups feel welcome in their country and has allowed them relative autonomy to go about their activities as they see fit. Leaders of religious groups have also reported that interfaith dialogue, both among Christian groups and between Christians and other religious groups, continues to develop and strengthen. In general, relations between major Christian churches and the Jewish community were positive and Muslim leaders said that Muslims, most of whom came from Central Asia during Soviet times, felt well integrated into society.