From: David Sangurima <sangu@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: soc.culture.latin-america
Date: 11 Nov 92 21:10 PST
Subject: STO DOMINGO AND THE INDIANS
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1473800381:000:3786
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!sangu    Nov 11 21:10:00 1992


From: David Sangurima <sangu>
Subject: STO DOMINGO AND THE INDIANS

/* Written  8:11 am  Nov  8, 1992 by hrcoord@igc.apc.org in igc:reg.latinameri */
/* ---------- "STO DOMINGO AND THE INDIANS" ---------- */
From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: STO DOMINGO AND THE INDIANS

/* Written  5:42 pm  Nov  6, 1992 by cimi@ax.apc.org in igc:rainfor.genera */


                   LATIN AMERICAN BISHOPS DEFEND RELIGIOUS
                   DIALOGUE WITH INDIANS IN SANTO  DOMINGO

     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
    

Organization: Doctoral student, History, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA