Une majorité de catholiques

The great majority of Portuguese (about 84% of the total population, according the census of 2001), partake of a Roman Catholic tradition. The dominical practice of Catholicism, according to a study undertaken by the Roman Catholic Church (also in 2001) is shared by 1.933.677 practicing Catholics (18.7% of the total population), and the number of people taking holy communion is 1.065.036 (10.3% of the total population). About half of the marriages that take place in Portugal are Roman Catholic marriages that automatically produce civil effects. Divorce is allowed as stipulated in the Civil Code, by mutual consent or by having one of the consorts initiating a process in Court, even though the Canonical Matrimonial Code does not contemplate such figure.