Christian globalisation

"The Church has carried out a sort of globalisation for 2,000 years by proclaiming the one faith but has also recognised the diversity of cultures to bring them to fulfilment in Christ, helping people see themselves as brothers and sisters in God's family, the Church" - L'Osservatore Romano (English edition 22/29-12-05,8).

This startling but insightful statement was contained in a report from the newly established Catholic University in South Africa, St Augustine's College, Johannesburg.

This report was occasioned by the meeting, chaired by Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, with representatives of 12 African countries discussing the theme One People of God, a Diversity of Cultures.

Regarding globalisation, the only valid pastoral decision will lead Christians not to remain spectators but to become fully qualified artisans of a renewed Christian humanism. To counter the erosion of values, threatened by the influence of financial markets and new information technologies, it is vital to prevent Christians from being culturally closed and to foster constructive dialogue with other cultures.

The bishops give human beings pride of place for their dignity, intrinsic value and Christian vocation. "African Christians," it was affirmed, "do not fear globalisation. They see it as an opportunity for a personal synthesis and reinterpretation of the faith they received from missionaries. For them, globalisation makes inculturation (the intermarriage of culture and the Gospel) even more pressing so that each person with his or her cultural differences can help build the People of God. God's plan provides for the existence of one People of God in the mosaic of cultures. Every member of God's family must have a place in a true community." Hence the theme of this meeting in South Africa. A country which at one time discriminated between people according to the colour of their skin!

"Inculturation of the Gospel in the traditional values and urban cultures must ensure that the good news becomes living wisdom for all Africans. The many traditional values found in the African cultures can become the foundations of a true Christian and African humanism."

A wish one would augur for a continent suffering in silence internecine warfare, Aids, poverty, malnutrition and mostly forgotten by many though not all.