Haiti reestablished relations with the Vatican in 1860 and power over the church in Haiti transferred once again to Europe. An influential Haitian voice, Louis Joseph Janvier, insisted Catholicism was an oppressive colonial power and a threat to Haiti’s autonomy, and he advocated for the establishment of Protestantism because it could be controlled internally rather than by Europe. He did not see voodoo as a solution to Haiti’s problems, and rather saw Protestantism as a means to modernize Haiti, as it encouraged pragmatism and self reliance. However, Protestants did not make inroads into rural Haiti until after the US military occupation of Haiti from 1915-1934. Fears of cultural imperialism and racism fostered a reaction against foreign influence and the promotion of an authentic Haitian identity rooted in peasant folklore and voodoo. It would not seem that Protestantism could flourish with the voodoo taking center stage, but it was in fact championed by Francois Duvalier, the first pro-voodoo, pro-peasant, black nationalist president. He supported the influx of Protestants because Protestants did not pose any immediate threat to him. First, the rise of Protestantism, like Janvier predicted, helped to break the power of the foreign dominated Catholic Church. Also, Protestants were seen not only as apolitical and unwilling to interfere in political affairs, but they were eager to bring development and aid into the country as well. In the end, it was not necessarily the spiritual message the Protestants proclaimed that caused them to gain traction in rural Haiti, but rather the physical resources they brought to some of the most disenfranchised in the form of food, clean water, medical care and education.
Because of these factors, Protestantism gained momentum toward the last half of the 20th century, especially in rural Haiti. On the one hand, being a pastor/ clergy is one of the few jobs for men in rural areas other than agriculture. Association with a Protestant mission signifies upward mobility, both figuratively and literally. Another reason for success in rural Haiti has been the support of using the common language of Creole in literacy (Scriptures) and sermons rather than French. In addition, Pentecostals were effective because they systematically covered the entire country and covered the poorest segments of the population. Furthermore, there has been a mass exodus from the Catholic Church because of a perceived lack of spiritual power. This dynamic power was evidenced in some Protestant churches, namely Charismatic/ Pentecostal churches, and has resulted in a substantial growth in rural Haiti.