The Church

[The Rock Doctor]

The only officially recognized religion in Gran Colombia has been Roman Catholicism.  The local Church generally conforms to the tenets of the RC faith, and to the average, obedient citizen, there is no argument to be had with the Church. However, the Church actively supports the Government in a variety of ways, ranging from messages of support at Mass to using Confession as a means to spy upon more prominent citizens. In return, of course, the Government prevents any other organized religion from taking root in the nation, and tolerates some illegal activity on the part of the Church's senior officials.

Until recent times, the only other forms of religion were "heathen" practices undertaken by natives living in the countryside.  The Church has long maintained  a vigorous missionary program aimed at converting the natives, and the Government has often assisted it with police crackdowns on non-Catholic worship.  However, the annexation of the former Island Commonwealth presents a problem:  the population is Protestant, and are not likely to tolerate repression of their faith.  This did not prove an issue in 1905, as none of the interested parties felt prepared to push the matter; this may change in 1906.

The head of the RC Church in Gran Colombia is Cardinal Juan Rodriquez, who presides at the Cathedral of San Miguel in Cartagena.

The head of the Protestent Church in Gran Colombia is Arch-Bishop Michael Duncan, who presides at the Cathedral of Saint Paul at Cromwell.