Inculturation

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Pope Francis at the general audience at St. Peter's Square on Oct. 25, 2023.

Pope Francis: To evangelize, ‘faith must be inculturated’

Oct 25, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

At his weekly general audience, Pope Francis recounted the story of Sts. Cyril and Methodius as one of encounter with... Read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass for Rome’s Congolese community in St. Peter's Basilica on July 3, 2022.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Congolese rite: ‘Peace begins with us’

Jul 3, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope began his homily with the word, “esengo,” which means “joy” in Lingala, the Bantu-based creole spoken in parts... Read more

Michael Madrigal, a lay minister in the Diocese of San Bernardino, recites the “Native American Prayer to the Four Directions” at the beginning of the diocese’s opening Mass for the Synod on Synodality, Oct. 17, 2021 at Holy Angels Church in Riverside, California.

Indigenous prayers, dancing in San Bernardino Synod Mass spark backlash

The Diocese of San Bernardino says its opening Mass for the Synod on Synodality Oct. 17 sought to celebrate the... Read more

Pope Francis' video message to the Confederation of Latin American and Caribbean Religious (CLAR) on Aug. 13, 2021.

Pope Francis: Nostalgia is the 'siren song of religious life'

Aug 14, 2021

By Courtney Mares

“Let us not forget that a faith that is not inculturated is not authentic," Pope Francis said. Read more

Ministry seeks to build community and empower young Latinos

Aug 10, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

Vicente del Real, a Catholic from Chicago, was recently helping to facilitate a young adult gathering at a parish in... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass according to the Zaire Use at St. Peter's Basilica on Dec. 1, 2019.

Pope Francis: Inculturated Mass shows us the gifts of the Holy Spirit

Dec 1, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said Tuesday that inculturated liturgy can teach Catholics to better appreciate the diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Read more

The statue of the Roman Catholic Spanish priest Junipero Serra is pictured in Palma de Mallorca on June 22, 2020, after it was daubed with graffiti reading "Racist."

‘I cannot remain silent’: Madison Catholic bishop condemns destruction of religious statues

Jun 24, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

As rioters across the United States target statues depicting figures of various stripes, the bishop of Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday... Read more

Pope Francis leads the opening procession for the Amazon synod in St. Peter's Basilica Oct. 7, 2019.

Inculturation is a 'necessary process' in the Amazon, Pope Francis says

Feb 12, 2020

Pope Francis has highlighted the need for spiritual inculturation in the Amazon region, and praised indigenous expressions of religiosity, while... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square Nov. 6, 2019.

Pope Francis: St. Paul announced Christ to 'idol worshippers' without attacking them

Nov 6, 2019

By Courtney Mares

St. Paul announced Jesus Christ to “idol worshippers” in Athens without attacking them, but by building bridges, Pope Francis said... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unit.

Cardinal Koch: the Gospel must incorporate and purify culture

Oct 24, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The head of the Vatican’s Christian unity office says inculturation of the Gospel is a necessary part of evangelization, but... Read more

José Ángel Divassón Cilveti speaks at an Amazon synod press conference at the Vatican Oct. 14, 2019.

Amazon Synod bishop: The Gospel brings new concepts to cultures, like forgiveness

Oct 14, 2019

By Courtney Mares

While the Vatican’s Synod of Bishop on the Amazon discusses the idea of “inculturating” the Gospel’s proclamation with local culture,... Read more

A Shopping mall in Thailand decked out for welcoming Lunar New Year 2015.

Chinese New Year bumps Ash Wednesday fasting for Asia's Catholics

Feb 17, 2015

Since Ash Wednesday coincides this year with Chinese New Year – also known as Lunar New Year – many bishops... Read more