24 years ago, in Medellin, Colombia, bishops from all over Latin
America launched the key-word for the action of the Church: liberation.
In 1979, in Puebla, Mexico, the option in favor of the poor was made.
In the years to come, the action of the missionaries, particularly in
relation to Indians, will be based on the religious dialogue and
inculturing. The decision was made during the 4th General Conference
of the Latin American Episcopate, which was held in Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic, on October 11-28. 256 delegates took part in the
meeting, including bishops, theologs, religious persons, laymen, and
guests.
In the conclusions of the 4th Conference, the dialogue with
non-Christian religious, "particularly Indian and Afro-American
religions, which for a long time have been ignored or marginalized," is
referred to as a pastoral challenge. According to the bishops, "the
Church knows that the dialogue has a witnessing character and respects
the person and identity of the interlocutor." Therefore, it is
important to "support a change in our attitudes, forsaking historical
prejudices in order to create an atmosphere of confidence and closeness."
Inculturing is regarded as "the center, means, and objective of
the new evangelization." It is a process which, emanating from the
Gospel, is directed to each people and community." Its goal is
"salvation and full liberation of a certain people or human group
having a strengthened identity and which has confidence in its future,
opposing the powers of death." The Church, the document continues,
"defends the authentic cultural values of all peoples, particularly
the oppressed, undefended, and marginalized ones, from the enticing
power of sin manifested in the modern civilization."
The bishops recognize that Latin America and the Caribbean make up
a multiethnical and pluricultural continent. "In it, aborigine,
Afro-American, and mestizo peoples coexist with European and Asian
descendants". Given this reality, the pastoral lines suggest an
incultured evangelization, offering the gospel to Indian peoples "with
a humble, understanding and prophetic attitude, valuing their word
through a respectful, frank, and brotherly dialogue."
When referring to the human promotion of ethnical groups, the
bishops affirm that the Church wants to support the efforts os Indian
peoples "to be recognized as such by the laws of their countries and
the international law, with full land rights, the right to set up
their own organizations and to have their own cultural experiences, so
as to ensure their right to live according to their own identity,
language, and ancestral customs." Therefore, they take on the
commitment to support "self-development, so that these peoples may
shape their own destiny."
Because of external interferences, the document does not reflect
the methodology traditionally adopted in Latin America and previous
conferences: to see, judge, and act. For this reason, its
theological reflection often seems out of context. However, it
assumes, in practice, the religious dialogue and inculturing which
are so essential to the Indianist pastoral work.
Brasilia, November 6th, 1992
CIMI - Indianist Missionary Council