The inference, therefore, is that only about 1/3 of this 90% are active Catholics. (Weill, 49).
The Haitians' simultaneous practice of Catholicism and Voodoo stems from traceable political circumstances, and while the Catholic Church has sought to wean the Haitians away from their practice of Voodoo, it has maintained a rather tolerant stance throughout the years. Presumably this is because the church has expected that the vigilant dictatorial imposition of Catholic teachings upon the Haitian masses would encourage them to hold steadfastly to their Voodoo-ist beliefs. The Catholic Church seems to have taken the stance that steady, relentless exposure to the teachings of Catholicism will eventually sway even the most heretical of the masses.
When examined closely, however, it has become the ironic case that the Catholic church has itself become largely responsible for the perpetuity of the Voodoo religion. Since the Christian doctrine prohibits itself from being taught alongside Voodoo, especially in conjunction with such inherently political (and far-reaching) matters as education, health care and financial concerns, Voodoo has been allowed an open arena through which, thanks to the lack of Christian competition, it is reinforced. Catholicism, however, because of its strict separatist doctrine, has earned far less recognition among the Haitian commonfolk. Were this not the case, it is reasonable to believe that Voodoo would not long remain the strong religious force that it is today. Because of this, however, the Haitian masses have, by and large, been willing to accept Catholicism, but only by degrees and, at the same time, maintain a reluctance to leave Voodoo behind.
The Voodoo religion lends itself to a variety of interpretations. While the teachings of Catholicism are also subject to interpretation, their ultimate, definite meanings have traditionally been determined by a carefully selected group of elite.