Culture nel Mondo

globe

“I have decided to found and institute a Council for Culture, capable of giving the whole Church a common impulse in the continuously renewed encounter between the salvific message of the Gospel and the multiplicity of cultures, in the diversity of cultures to which she must carry her fruits of grace.”

Letter of foundation of the Pontifical Council for Culture

ASIA

asia

Asia is geographically and often culturally distant from Rome but its peoples are also open, ready and willing to dialogue with the Gospel and the Catholic Church. The various peoples are have a deep-rooted spirituality and are enamoured by the quest for the divine.  Except for the Philippines and East Timor, the Catholics are in a small minority swamped by vast majorities and often live in very uncertain and difficult circumstances. To be underlined is the fact that often the Catholic community is struggling for survival in the face of open persecution or  religious extremism in many parts of Asia. These communities have a possibility of intercultural dialogue and activity when they cannot openly live their religion. There are huge cultural challenges because of the plurality of religions and diversity of cultures. Therefore issues likeevangelization, inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, inculturation and communications and language gain importance. There is a large youth population at times up to 60-70 % in some countries which needs to be addressed.

AFRICA

africa

Africa with its many indigenous populations and in many countries with substantial  Christian and Catholic Presence offers wide-ranging prospects in the cultural field. The colourful continent with it  lively peoples with their fondness for dance and music and very spontaneous cultural expressions hosts also the largest growing Church. The continent is opening up to globalizing tendencies amidst its traditional challenges of poverty and injustices. Evangelization of Cultures, intercultural dialogue, and inculturation of the faith are very valid spaces for work.

Americas

america

"I asked that the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops reflect on America as a single entity, by reason of all that is common to the peoples of the continent, including their shared Christian identity and their genuine attempt to strengthen the bonds of solidarity and communion between the different forms of the continent's rich cultural heritage. The decision to speak of “America” in the singular was an attempt to express not only the unity which in some way already exists, but also to point to that closer bond which the peoples of the continent seek and which the Church wishes to foster as part of her own mission, as she works to promote the communion of all in the Lord."  (Ecclesia in America, 5).

Europe

Europe

OCEANIA

australia

Oceania, distant geographically is predominantly Christian. A Re-evangelization through cultures and cultural expressions is a distinct objective.