The sun is shining more and more in Rome. The heat is on. Nevertheless, the Plenary Council is courageously navigating through the vicissitudes of the weather and the complexity of the issues under discussion. Yesterday and today were devoted to the adoption of various texts. It was also a question of the structure that deals with Arts and Cultures. The Carrefour of African Culture (CCA) is an association founded in November 2017 and based at the International Missionary House in Lyon. The CCA is part of the culture of dialogue and encounter carried by the Society of African Missions.

Why this particular interest in culture?

It should be remembered that “the process of encountering and confronting cultures is an experience that the Church has lived since the origins of the preaching of the Gospel” (Fides et Ratio, n. 70), because “it is the characteristic of the human person to access humanity truly and fully only through culture” (Gaudium et Spes, n. 53). The SMA has been walking with the universal Church since the beginning and wants to be close to the human person in his intrinsic reality. The participants appreciated the enormous work that is being done at the level of the CCA and recommended, as far as possible, more action in the future. The day ended with the celebration of Holy Mass presided over by Fr Luigi Maccalli, SMA. His presence was a ray of light in the desert of fatigue generated by these days of reflection.

Pierre-Paul DOSSEKPLI