Legal framework on freedom of religion and actual application
Article 1 of its 2010 Constitution states that Madagascar is a secular state. Under Article 2, the concept of state neutrality towards all religions is presented as the basis of the separation between state and religion. No government official can hold a position of responsibility in a religious body. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by Articles 6 and 10.
Religious groups must register with the Ministry of the Interior. Tax exemption for religious groups can be requested in the case of foreign donations. According to Malagasy law, to be legally registered as a religious entity, groups must have at least one hundred members and an elected council with a maximum of nine members, all of them Malagasy citizens. There are about 373 officially registered religious groups.
Religious instruction is not included in the curriculum of public schools.
A change in Madagascar’s nationality law in 2017 enabled women to transmit their nationality to their children, regardless of their marital status. In June 2021, the country’s parliament decided to postpone an amendment to the 2017 nationality law that would have allowed as many as 15,000 Muslim residents the right to apply for citizenship. Muslim leaders criticised the law stating that it affected disproportionally the Muslim community, preventing descendants of Muslim immigrants from receiving citizenship.
While Madagascar views itself as a secular state, politics and religion continue to mix with “churches and religious groups such as the Council of Christian Churches in Madagascar (FFKM) playing an important role in politics”. This is manifest through the FFKM’s role in calling government to account in issues of transparency and demanding the state to focus on the “real needs” of the population.
Although a separation of Church and state, President Andry Rajoelina “publicized his religious faith while using religious expressions in his speeches”.
Incidents and developments
A 2022 World Bank calculation states that the poverty rate was at record high with 81 percent of the population living on less than $2.15 per person per day with one-third “deprived of consumption, literacy education, basic household assets and access to public services such as health care and electricity”.
On 12 February 2021, Vincentine missionary Father Pedro Opeka founder of the "City of Friendship" was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as a result of his solidarity movement to help those who lived on a landfill on the outskirts of the Madagascan capital, Antananarivo. The Argentine missionary built “villages, schools, food banks, small businesses and even a hospital” at the service of the poor.
In a video message, Pope Francis, on 1 May 2021, celebrated the opening of the new Co-Cathedral in the town of Miandrivazo. The pope highlighted the social, educational, and religious work accomplished by the community.
On 29 July 2021, following an assassination attempt on President Andry Rajoelina, Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana, Archbishop of Toamasina, declared that the Catholic Church is firmly against “any form of destabilization and seizing power by force.”
During the period under review, Catholic bishops stated that the role of the Church vis-à-vis politics is to provide spiritual guidance, as well as advise leaders on proper behaviour to maintain social peace and stability. However, the bishops stated, contrary to what was reported on social media, that “The Catholic Church is not involved in politics and does not support any candidate for prime minister.” These declarations came after the arrest of Paul Rafanoharana, who claimed to be an advisor to the archdiocese. He was linked to the plan to assassinate the Malagasy President foiled in July.
The Catholic Church worldwide expressed concern regarding the persistent drought and growing famine in Madagascar, with a particular appeal made by the German Catholic bishops. As the famine worsened, many families moved closer to cities. Given this situation, the priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonians) became directly involved providing medical and food assistance.
Following cyclone Batsirai that ravaged Madagascar in February 2022, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) issued a joint statement expressing solidarity with the people of God in the country. The Malagasy Lutheran Church expressed its solidarity with the victims.
In a 15 July 2022 interview, Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana, Archbishop of Toamasina, Madagascar, indicated that the number of Muslims continues to increase, with a “rise in the construction of mosques in several places”, but there is no religious violence and the “relationship between Christians and Muslims is good, there is no violence, no hate, we live together”. However, he expressed concern should extremists “come from other places, as has happened in other African countries, where there have been cases of violence against Christians”.
On 9 November 2022, the Salesian missionary, Bishop Rosario Vella of Moramanga, expressed concern regarding the ever-present challenge of corruption, stating: “There is corruption at all levels, it is no longer known who is the victim or who is complicit in this system. The people in many ways no longer trust anyone.” In view of this, the Church becomes a last place of recourse. “Many trust only the works of the Church. In Madagascar, many perceive the parish as the only refuge for everyone and everything".
Prospects for freedom of religion
No incidents of significance were reported with regards to freedom of religion during the period under review. For Muslims in Madagascar – estimated by sources as constituting between 15 and 25 percent of the population, the majority Sunni – the issues of stateless children and access to Malagasy citizenship remain unresolved. Christian Churches, especially the Catholic Church, continue to play an important role in education and social outreach, aiding victims of natural disasters and famine. While Churches are not directly involved in politics, religion does play a role in the country’s political life. Prospects for freedom of religion are positive.
Madagascar