In a Nutshell
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Cultures differ from nation to nation. Of course, cultures also differ within individual nations and even local communities. To inculturate the Gospel is to discover how it can be rooted in a culture -- to give the Gospel "flesh" in a given culture. How large the challenge of globalization is becomes clear when we consider the very large number of cultural groups today, both globally and locally. Bishop Amadee Grab of Chur, Switzerland, said this about inculturation in a 2004 speech: "To speak of the inculturation of the Gospel does not mean abandoning the heart of the Gospel; it is, rather, a sign of the desire to share with our contemporaries what the Gospel can valuably contribute to our culture." Pope John Paul II once said that inculturation is "'the incarnation' of the Gospel in the various cultures" ("The Church in Oceania"). This affects how "the Gospel is preached, understood and lived," he said. |
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Celebrating the Eucharist in many cultures
By Jim SchellmanCatholic News Service
Not so long ago it was common to hear Roman Catholics speak of the comfort they found in the familiar celebration of the Mass, whether they experienced it in Portland or Paris. The Latin texts and the priest's carefully prescribed movements and gestures created the effect of the predictable, wherever Catholics found themselves.
Many of my friends now make a similar observation about the Mass, and this despite its being celebrated in a large variety of languages around the globe. Often they are surprised by Mass in another cultural setting and express feelings of being fairly at ease.
The swaddling blanket of inculturation
By Msgr. Raymond EastCatholic News Service
I want to tell you two stories which underscore the importance of liturgy relating to one's culture.
Auxiliary Bishop Jaime Soto of Orange, Calif., recently gave a keynote address at the Western Regional Convention of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. His topic was "Many Cultures, Many Generations: Rejoicing in the Gifts, Embracing the Challenges."
The power of the familiar
By Alejandro Aguilera-TitusCatholic News Service
Anybody who has spent time in a foreign land can identify with the delightful experience of hearing someone speaking one's language. The connection with that person is immediate; it touches the very essence of what is familiar to us.
For people who have been away from home a long time, a conversation with others who speak their language can turn into a profound dialogue. People will seize the opportunity to share the feelings and thoughts trapped in their souls because they have lacked the right words to express them in a language that is not their own.
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Faith in the Marketplace | |
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 This Week's Discussion Point: Tell how your parish or diocese recognizes the gifts and talents of its differing cultural and ethnic groups. |
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Selected Response From Readers: |
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