A Theology for Intercultural Ministry
A Theology of Intercultural ministry finds its sources in the Christian understanding of the human process and in, a theology of the Church as communion, as truly “catholic” (or universal), and as missionary in nature.
Christian Anthropology: The understanding of the Human Person
Christianity bases its understanding of the human person on the first Creation story in Genesis. There we read that human beings are made in the “image” and “likeness” of God. (Gen 1: 26-27 NABRE).
The dignity of human beings is rooted in their creation in this image and likeness of God, and it shines forth in the communion of persons, in the likeness of the unity of the divine persons among themselves” (CCC, no 1702).
It is in this light that Christians understand that every person, regardless of race or ethnicity, is to be treated with dignity and respect.
The Church as Communion
The Church is a communion modeled on the love among Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It seeks to mirror that communion of Divine Persons in the way it welcomes and gathers in all peoples – “every tribe and tongue, people and nation” (Rev 5:9 NABRE).
As Pope John Paul II put it in Novo Millennio Ineunte, the Church is to be the “home and school of communion” (no. 43).
The Church is not sectarian and meant only for a chosen few.
The Church as Catholic
Moreover, our Church is a catholic Church; in its universality, it intends to gather in all peoples without exception. It is a communion in diversity, not in uniformity. It is Catholic, too, in its believing all that the Lord has revealed.
It is within this frame of mind that the Church undertakes ministry among all cultures for the sake of bringing all people together into communion with one Lord and one common Father.
The Church as Mission
From Vatican II to Evangeli Nuntiandi and Redemptoris Missio, recent Church teaching has stressed the missionary identity of the Church. Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have referred to the Church as being missionary in its entirety.
By virtue of Baptism, all are called to be missionary disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Fifth Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean extensively developed the theme of missionary discipleship in the 2007 Concluding Document of Aparecida.
One of the implications of Church’s missionary character is precisely the central role of intercultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable ministers of the Gospel to proclaim Christ’s message effectively among all nations.
Excerpted from Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers from the USCCB (pages 4-5)
Reflection Questions
- How do my attitudes and actions reflect the belief that every person—regardless of race, ethnicity, or culture—is created in the image and likeness of God and deserves dignity and respect?
- What intercultural knowledge, skills, or attitudes do I need to strengthen so that I can help build a Church that is a communion in diversity and live more fully as a missionary disciple?
