Religious orders were suppressed, their property seized, priests and religious exiled, and schools secularized. Freedom was subsequently restored to the Church. During this period, Church leaders spoke out against atrocities and suffered persecution. The peace process was orchestrated in part by Bishops, though one Bishop was murdered for documenting wartime abuses. The Churches of England and Scotland had sole legal rights until 1899, when the Catholic Church among others was given equal status.
Most Catholics are Portuguese.
The Georgetown Diocese was established in 1956. In 1966, Guyana became independent of England. Its first native bishop was ordained in 1971. It was evangelized following its discovery by Columbus in 1492, and ceded by Spain to France in 1697. Missions were established in the 18 th century by Capuchins and Jesuits.