Attitude of Dialogue

From past experiences, the self-examination of the Church in Vatican Council ll, the recognition of the value of the human person, of culture and of religion; the rediscovery of the action of the Holy Spirit within and beyond the Church... These and other factors have led the missionary also, to change mentality, of attitudes ~ of the way of carrying out mission.

Dialogue has come to the forefront in the mission, what was proposed by Paul lV in the Encyclical Ecclesiam Suam: "Dialogue is listening, meaning by this a loving welcoming of the other as different, and also proclamation, to share a received gift in love for the benefit of all. It seeks reciprocity and at the same time renewal and recreation, for the good of both parties to the dialogue".

The end result of inculturation includes, therefore, mutual growth and enrichment ~ not just superficially, looking at the surface but trying to reach the very kernel of culture. It seems to me the only way to reach a spiritual communication of authentic values ~ leading to a true interior transformation.