The Co-President of the Focolare Movement, Jesús Morán, Visits Centre of Inculturation in Mariapolis Piero, Kenya
On January 30th, 2025, Co-President of the Focolare Movement, Jesús Morán, during his visit to Eastern Africa, spent a day at Mariapolis Piero, Juja, Kenya. This marked a significant and historic moment for the Centre of Inculturation. His visit emphasized the Movement's commitment to integrating faith with African cultural values and recognizing Africa’s unique contribution to Christianity. As a hub for inculturation in Africa, the Centre of Inculturation provides a fitting environment for exploring how African values, traditions, and Christian values can seamlessly blend to create a richer spiritual experience.
When Chiara Lubich announced the birth of the School for Inculturation on May 18th, 1992, she stated that: “Inculturation requires that we make ourselves one by entering into the soul, the culture, the mentality, the tradition and the customs of others so as to understand them and bring out the seeds of the world.” Moran’s visit emphasized the importance of embracing African heritage in the practice of faith. It reaffirmed the commitment to fostering unity through inculturation, ensuring that faith remains deeply rooted in the local traditions of the people.
Embracing Inculturation in Faith and Culture
Jesús Moran was welcomed with traditional blessings led by Fr. Joseph Ateh and several Kikuyu elders. The ceremony featured the pouring of libations using Muratina, a traditional brew employed in significant communal ceremonies and gatherings by the Kikuyu community in Kenya. This ritual signifies gratitude, and honours the ancestors, the gods, and God Almighty, whilst seeking blessings. The invocation is for fertility and generativity, aimed at increasing food production and prosperity in all its forms. Furthermore, it conveys respect for African traditions in fostering communion and strengthening bonds of hospitality, goodwill, and love.
When commenting on inculturation, Jesús Moran highlighted that it is the process through which cultures connect and communicate, asserting that Christianity is not a foreign imposition but a faith that can be authentically lived within diverse cultural contexts, extending beyond the Greco-Roman culture.
Jesús Moran emphasized the importance of Africa shaping its theological identity. He acknowledged and called upon African theologians and scholars to develop an authentic expression of faith that resonates with local traditions and values. He insisted, "This is the moment for Africa to be more assertive in expressing the communitarian structure of their culture, which can only be done by the African people and theologians, which is real inculturation".
“Making ourselves one” by learning the African Indigenous Knowledge System (AIKS)
The Centre of Inculturation has been the place for learning the African Indigenous Knowledge System (AIKS) and a developing model for spiritual formation, unity, and cultural dialogue within the Focolare Movement. Jesús Moran toured the Centre, where he witnessed first-hand the work to foster a deep integration of faith and African traditions. The Centre has been instrumental in bringing together scholars, theologians, and community leaders to explore how the Gospel can be authentically lived through the lens of African culture.
He planted a tree, a gesture representing both generativity and growth. This act reminded many of the words of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, who envisioned inculturation as a way of “bringing out the seeds of the word” from every culture.
The Role of the Focolare Movement in Evangelization
His Grace Philip Anyolo, the Archbishop of Nairobi, presided over the Mass of thanksgiving, which was colourfully animated by the Seminarians of the Apostles of Jesus Major Seminary, Nairobi, the Catholic Women Association, Divine Mercy Parish and a cross-section of the members of the Focolare community in Kenya. He appreciated the role of the Focolare Movement in evangelisation in Kenya since the 1970s and its impact on the local communities. Faith lived in concrete should transform the mind (knowledge), heart (emotions), and hands (actions), thus emphasizing that faith must be lived out in tangible ways. He pointed out that schools are a necessary forum for transforming society by raising children with proper values, so the Mariapolis Primary School should continue improving. He concluded, “I pray to God that He may bless the spirit of Chiara most abundantly so that the values of the Christian life she champions may radiate through our modern cultures.”
By Irene Kirung'e
Watch Chiara's speech during the launch of the School of inculturation in 1992:
Mariapolis Piero,
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