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Back to Ratio IndexChapter I. The Present Situation: a
New and diverse World
A
new world is being born. It has yet to take definitive shape as it
struggles to emerge from the remnants of a former age. Like every human
society, this new world has positive and negative elements, values
and disvalues. It is the milieu in which today¼s missionaries are called
to evangelize. A few aspects of the emerging future are these:
1.1 The Reality of
Poverty and the Aspiration for Justice
A
new economic situation is developing because of technological advances,
rapid communications, new means of production, trade agreements, and
other factors. Globalization of the economy affects every society and
will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. These changes have
created unprecedented wealth for some few countries and for small groups
in many nations.
This
new economic situation has not translated into positive gains for large
sectors of the world. National economies have been crippled by unpayable
debts. Whole countries have been left behind in the rush to globalize
because they lack raw materials or desirable agricultural and manufacturing
products demanded by international markets. In practice, the so-called
free market economy is dominated by wealthy nations which control access
to the market, as well as the capital and technology needed to participate.
Two-thirds
of the world still lives in poverty. Twenty-eight thousand people die
everyday from hunger, not to mention the millions who are chronically
undernourished. Incredible percentages of the populations of some countries
have been infected by AIDS, malaria, and other lethal diseases. Most
of the world still has either no access to adequate medical attention,
education and potable water or has substandard possibilities for meeting
these and other basic human needs. Underlying this necessarily very
general description are real individuals and families that suffer.
There
are signs of hope in the midst of this rather bleak picture. There
is a growing awareness, at least in theory, of the value of the human
person. Fostering respect for the value of each person has been one
of the important struggles of our time. In almost every country, groups
have been formed to promote and protect human rights, civil liberties
and political participation. Individuals, small groups and whole peoples
endeavor to create just economic and political structures which permit
the development of the human person. These are all signs of a new world
struggling to emerge.
1.2 Reaffirmation
of Cultural Diversity
Anthropology
and sociology have pointed out the importance of culture in the life
of individuals and communities. Culture provides the context within
which human beings understand and relate to the world. It is a system
of inherited patterns of meanings and behaviors that orient a group
or a society. It involves symbols, myths, beliefs and norms of conduct
that are formally and informally transmitted in a society. Culture
defines the way one learns, lives and acts in relationship to others.
One
of the beneficial results of the passing of the old colonial system
is that recently liberated peoples have demanded respect for their
cultures. This has brought to the fore a recognition of the diversity
of cultures and the meaning of that diversity. The right of a people
to develop its own culture has only recently begun to enter mainstream
consciousness. This creates the possibility for relationships of respect
and sensitivity between peoples of different cultures.
Affirmation
of cultural diversity has not emerged without difficulties and setbacks.
Cultures interact as peoples from different societies come together.
Diversity of meaning and interests often causes misunderstanding and
conflict between individuals and peoples. Not everyone recognizes the
right of others to develop their own culture. This has led to the marginalization
of some cultures and the dominance of others.
1.3 Religious
Revival
In many parts of the world, a postmodern culture
is coming to birth or already exists, often as a reaction to today¼s
unfulfilled promises of progress, equality, and inclusion. This new
culture questions the assumptions of contemporary society and its reliance
on the rational. It highlights the individual. It is uneasy with established
structures. It distrusts the promises of authority, both civil and
religious. This often results in disinterest in traditional social,
political, and religious processes.
But, although postmodernism, secularism and
individualism have had an impact on the religiosity of many peoples
in the world, it is also evident that in many countries a religious
awakening has taken place. The rich liturgies of Africa, the focus
on inter-religious dialogue and contemplative prayer in Asia, Basic
Ecclesial Communities and movements to promote the liberation of the
poor in Latin America, the birth of new religious communities in Europe,
and the increasingly active ministerial role of lay persons in North
America are evidence of this in the Catholic Church. The rapid growth
in the number of Evangelical Christians is an indication of a thirst
for religious expression. The resurgence of Islam, the expansion of
Buddhism and renewed interest in Hinduism are also signs of a new religious
interest. Frequently, religious revival has taken the form of fundamentalism,
but nonetheless, this too points to a search for meaning and a desire
for deeper union with the Divine.
This
religious revival has had a profound impact on missionaries. In some
instances it has provoked tensions and divisions. But it has also been
an opportunity for reflection and growth. It has made possible deeper
reflection on the values present in other religions, and it has highlighted
the increased need for inter-religious dialogue. It has also given
rise to questions about the nature of evangelization and the role of
missionaries.
1.4 Different
Regional Realities
1.4.1 The
Southern Hemisphere (Africa and Latin America)
The
countries of the Southern Hemisphere in Africa and Latin America share
some characteristics and have frequently been categorized as belonging
to the Third World. Both continents have well-known colonial pasts.
Both experience the poverty of large sectors of the population because
of social, economic and political factors which often are a result
of unjust structures. In both continents governments have often been
unstable and corrupt.
Latin
America is a continent whose culture has been strongly influenced by
the Catholic Church, although in recent decades Evangelical Christians
have made their presence felt significantly. The Catholic Church has
made notable efforts to address the disparity between rich and poor,
not without conflicts. It has sought to articulate and concretize the
Church¼s fundamental option for the poor.
In
Africa the Church is vibrant and strong, but at the same time challenged
by fundamentalist sects and the growth of Islam. In some countries
large portions of the population belong to traditional religions. Violent
internal and regional conflicts, the spread of AIDS, and malaria and
tremendous levels of poverty continue to afflict the continent.
1.4.2 Asia
and Oceania
Asia
is sometimes included with the countries of the South because some
nations have the same economic and political difficulties as Africa
and Latin America. Nevertheless, in many ways, the situation of Asia
and Oceania is unique. The great ancient religions of Asia dominate
the social and cultural horizon. Catholics are a small minority, except
in a few places like the Philippines, Lebanon, Kerala, Timor, and the
Tamils. Faced with being a minority in a world of various cultures
and religions and of multifaceted poverty, the Church is challenged
to promote the dignity of the human person as the foundation for the
common well-being of the people. The Asian Church is intent on building
an inclusive human community encompassing persons of all religions,
ethnic groups and socio-economic levels. In some places, like Vietnam
and China, a vital Church exists, despite restrictions in its freedom.
1.4.3 Northern
Hemisphere (Europe and North America)
The
countries of the North Atlantic, often called the First World, dominate
the world economy with their wealth, technological advances, and military
resources. Despite increasing prosperity, the gap between rich and
poor in these countries continues to grow as well. While freedom and
human dignity are highly prized, individualism, depersonalization,
consumerism, and secularization are all also present.
Europe
is a vast region, stretching from the Atlantic to the Urals. Besides
the highly developed countries of the West, it also includes the former
Soviet Block countries of Eastern Europe. These nations have their
own social, political and economic difficulties partly inherited from
the days of the Communist past and partly created by new interaction
with a free-market economy.
Europe
sent missionaries throughout the world for centuries. Today such missionaries
are much fewer and the continent that was for centuries the heart of
Christendom is now considered to be in need of a new evangelization.
Over
the last century North America also sent numerous missionaries abroad.
But today the North American Church is at a different stage of development
and, though religious practice remains strong, the Church there is
beginning to experience difficulties similar to those of Europe.
The
Churches of the Northern Hemisphere face the challenge of preaching
the Gospel in the midst of wealth and global influence. Part of the
challenge is to find ways to direct wealth, power, and technology to
the service of a just society.
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