Narrow screen resolution Wide screen resolution
Africa: Catholic Congress to Study Culture and Church on Continent Print E-mail
Written by CISA   
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Catholic leaders and scholars will meet to Bagamoyo to examine the pastoral prospects for new evangelization in the face of globalization and its effects on African cultures.

The congress, organised by the Pontifical Council for Culture, aims to provide a new impulse to the pastoral approach to culture, according to a statement from the council. Close attention will be paid to the evangelization of cultures, with a special emphasis on matters related to secularization.

The event will take place from July 23 to 26 at the Catholic Cultural Centre Bagamoyo, run by the Spiritan Fathers.

Participants will include African members and consulters of the Pontifical Council for Culture and bishops in charge of culture in national Episcopal conferences.

The meeting forms part of a series of initiatives intended to promote the pastoral approach to culture in different parts of the world.

The last such meeting in Africa was held in Johannesburg in 2004, and offered the bishops in Southern Africa an opportunity to reflect on the theme, 'One people of God within the diversity of cultures.'

"In the current context, with the cultural environment and lifestyles intensely affected by the effects of globalization, the Church strives to promote the inculturation of the faith along with a new Christian humanism which will allow men and women in Africa to be fully African and fully Christian," the council statement said.

"The Church is conscious of the fundamental cultural dimension of sustainable development, indispensable for the future of the African continent. Therefore, particular weight will be given to the cultural values present in Africa which are at the service of the dignity of the human person."
Last Updated ( Monday, 21 July 2008 )