Religion in Acadia
The majority of Acadia's population adheres to Roman Catholicism. The history of religion in Acadia is closely intertwined with the broader history of Canada. Several parishes were established before 1710, including [Church of Church of Saint John the Baptist (Port-Royal)|Saint John the Baptist (Port-Royal)|Saint John the Baptist] in Port-Royal, Saint-Charles-des-Mines in Grand Pré, Sainte-Famille in Pisiguit, and Saint-Joseph at Rivière-aux-Canards. By 1750, additional parishes such as Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Pisiguit and Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul in Cobeguit were founded,
Towards the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the Acadian population militated for better representation in the clergy, which was then controlled by English speakers. Religious communities played an important role in education and health care until the 1970s. The religious practice then declined. Catholicism in Acadia accords an important place to women, notably in the cult of Sainte Anne. Many traditions linked to the sea and Sainte Anne are still popular. In southeastern New Brunswick, some Acadians or Chiacs practiced a religious blend of native spirituality and Catholicism. Protestant communities are present in Acadia, as is a small Jewish community in Moncton.
History
The Acadians were originally tolerant of other religions and denominations, as some of their founders were Protestants. Before 1710, Acadian parishes included not only the first parish at Saint John the Baptist in Port-Royal, but also Saint-Charles-des-Mines in Grand Pré, Sainte-Famille in Pisiguit, and Saint-Joseph at Rivière-aux-Canards, though only some parish registers survive. By 1750, additional parishes emerged, such as Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Pisiguit and Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul in Cobeguit. This doesn't include known missionary churches.Acadians retained freedom of religion following the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Following the deportation of the Acadians, relations became strained between the population and the priests and bishops, who were now mostly Scottish or Irish, and English-speaking. Acadian priests were trained following the opening of Collège Saint-Joseph in 1865, but these were sent mainly to English-speaking regions. A debate over the "Acadianization" of the clergy began in the 1880s, and the first bishop, Édouard Alfred Leblanc, was appointed in 1913. A movement was then organized to petition the Pope for better representation in the clergy, despite Anglophone opposition, with success. The request to create an archdiocese in Moncton caused even more opposition but was also accepted in 1936. The [Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Diocese of Edmundston|Diocese of Edmundston] was detached in 1944, while the Diocese of Yarmouth was separated from Halifax in 1953. The Catholic faith remained linked to Acadianity until the 1940s when a majority of the elite were either religious or had been educated in Catholic colleges. Religious communities played a fundamental role in education and health care until the 1970s. As in many parts of the world, religious practice then declined, as the number of priests fell and some parishes were no longer served. The Catholic faith remains important for a large part of the population, but its link with Acadianity is likely to be different in the future, according to historian Naomi Griffiths.