P. Carlos riflette su vent’anni di esperienza in Africa occidentale

Father Carlos shared reflections on his 20 years of experience in West Africa, discussing the relationship between the Gospel and African cultures. Writing for the Society of African Missions, he noted that spirituality in these regions permeates all aspects of life and society, rather than being separate from the physical or material world.

He observed that while early European missionaries often labeled African spirituality as animism or dismissed it as irrational, the Second Vatican Council suggests the Gospel can adopt the spiritual gifts of every nation. He noted that the Word of Christ is intended to strengthen and complete existing cultures.

He suggested that applying different cultural codes to the Gospel can make it difficult for those raised in those traditions to understand. He expressed concern that Christian rites in Africa sometimes risk disconnecting new converts from their cultural framework.