Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - How to speak of God in this world which has led to the loss of values which are fundamental for the Christian? First of all we must take the path of the faith, only in this way can we show the whole world that God lives in our experience as human persons and precisely in this culture we must recognise the value of our being men and women which presents itself as a starting point fundamental for the faith. Therefore we should remember that without deep wonder in the human heart there can be neither listening nor evangelisation. The role of the ecclesial community reveals itself to be decisive for communicating God's love to all those who live far from Him.
It is necessary however to avoid any risk of syncretism, because it is true that “While it transcends all limits of time and confines of race, the Church is destined to extend to all regions of the earth and so enters into the history of mankind. ” (LG 9). For this to be possible it is necessary to keep two basic principles in mind: concrete insertion of the Gospel message into cultures, through dialogue, and at the same time, transformation and purification of elements present in cultures not in keeping with the message (cfr. Catechesi tradendae, 53).
New evangelisation, based on the principle of inculturation, means missionary activity must aim to insert evangelised persons into the vital and community tissue of the local Churches, seeking to render them self-supporting and relatively autonomous from the mother Churches, and fostering the introduction of all the ecclesial structures, especially the recruiting, formation and growth of local clergy (cfr. Redemptoris missio, 48).
However there are difficulties or, better still, questions, which need to be examined. Among them, deserving special attention, the problem of the constitution of "aboriginal Churches”, ever more necessary and already underway.
This need, already present in Vatican II (cfr. AG 6), was underlined with emphasis by John Paul II: in his many meetings with the local people, he not only urged evangelisers to keep the local culture in mind and welcome their positive elements he also openly expressed the hope for a local hierarchy of priests and bishops.
Not lack certainly are questions on the present experience, nevertheless it is evident that the constitution of local native Churches is not only legitimate but also necessary. This is a need rooted in the history of the Church from the very beginning and encouraged by the Magisterium, so Christians may live the Christian life in an inculturated manner, as a "living community of faith, liturgy and charity" (AG 19). This does not mean isolation, but instead communion with the universal Church which contemplates unity in multiplicity. (8 - to be continued) (Agenzia Fides 18/12/2007; righe 40, parole 577)
