History of Inculturation

The inception of the "Centre of Inculturation" within the Focolare Movement in Africa traces back to a pivotal moment inspired by Chiara Lubich (1920 – 2008), the founder of the movement, during her final visit to Kenya in 1992. During this visit, Chiara Lubich engaged in a significant dialogue with Msgr. Clemente Faccani, then Pro-Nuncio in Kenya. Their discussion revolved around the challenge of transmitting the Gospel amidst diverse cultures.
 

Chiara Lubich and Msgr. Faccani recognized the cultural dynamics at play: that the faith brought by the early missionaries was heavily influenced by Greco-Roman culture.  There was an oversight on African perspectives that often embraced respect for creation, wisdom through storytelling, proverbs, music, dancing, art, etc., as primary modes of engaging with reality. This contrast led many Africans to feel disconnected from the formal structures of mainstream Churches.
 

However, amidst these differences, Msgr. Faccani shared with Lubich his discovery of "Seeds of the Word" within African traditions, echoing the sentiments of the Second Vatican Council. These were elements within African cultures that resonated harmoniously with the Gospel message. This encounter planted the seeds for the establishment of the Centre of Inculturation, aimed at fostering a deeper integration of African cultural expressions with the universal message of Christianity.

Mariapolis Piero,

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