International Association of Catholic Missiologists

 

HIGH POINTS OF THE WORKSHOP PLENARY SESSIONS

            Dr. Franz Dokman (The Netherlands), and Rev. Dr. Joaquin Garcia, OP. (Peru), assisted in taking notes of the salient points raised during the workshop plenary sessions (in English and Spanish respectively). After the study-groups have presented their three main areas of research or reflection to be given priority in the future, the discussion focused on the following issues:

a)      Theological languages do need return to the roots of the people. Theological languages do need to express the experience of life: A life which opens all aspects: joy, suffering, etc. The meaning of theological languages can be found in life; in thinking about life one finds God, the Creator of life. It is suggested to be open to the fruits of theological reflections on indigenous spirituality, to listen to the experience of life of indigenous people, because also in their life, God presents himself for scientific reflection. This kind of reflection will enrich theological languages, and missiology can be inspiring such development.

b)      This brings up the questions which image of God and what kind of ecclesiology correspond with a theological language expressing life and indigenous spirituality? One concludes that image of God and ecclesiology are close connected. God creates/recreates life but how this image reflects on ecclesiology remains unanswered.

c)      There was also the concern to reverse the tendency in which the language of missiology has hitherto continued to perceive in the negative way, the cultures and peoples in the South. Africa is noted to have suffered most of this negative characterization (or stigmatization) that are often found in the reflections of missiologists and missionaries, and in the communications media. Our theological language should respect the dignity of the human person and project the positive image and aspects of the people and their culture. In our theological research and writing our language must be balanced and respect the other people’s cultural and historical sensitivity.

d)      The plenary session also witnessed a strong attention for the connection between language and identity. Cultural identities are constructed by language. By using a language, for instance Spanish, or a more local language embedded in the past, a person expresses its cultural orientation. One experiences a tension between a more world-wide language and its indigenous authentic identity.

Apart from the topics of research presented by the small study-groups, the following issues need also attention:

a)      Migrant Theology: As a result of globalization, Christian migrants leave their home countries and move into Diasporas. It is necessary and welcome if missiologists/missionaries, for instance in Europe, be engaged with those migrants; proclaiming the gospel and developing a local migrant theology for a tolerant environment. The knowledge and experience of missionaries with the migrants in their home countries in the South, can be very helpful in this process. These migrants also bring with them the vitality of the Christian faith in their home countries which they could share with their new host country.

b)      Europe is confronted with a process of de-Christianization. Therefore, European mission institutes need to change their focus as mission ad gentes and also reflect on Europe. Mission is not only moving to places in the South or East but also working for the non-believers back home.

c)      As a result of this process, the idea and practice of reversed mission is growing. This means that missionaries from Africa, Asia, Latin America could come to work in the West. This opens a challenge to Catholic missiologists to develop a model as reversed mission shapes a new encounter of mission and culture.

d)      It was also noted that the Church which for long has mainly focused on the economically poor, has to adapt to the reality that mission is also much needed by the economically rich. Pastoral work in the cities are highly recommended.