February: Cultural Diversity Activities
If The Whole Body Were An Eye: Catholic Appreciation of Various Cultures
This month's activities address the church in relation to the world understanding cultures, living and working with other people, and understand Christian tradition. The specific goals of the Cultural Diversity activities are:
"If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God has arranged the members in the body, each one, as God chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
--Paul's first letter to the Corinthians 12:17-21
"The church has been sent to all ages and nations, and therefore, is not tied exclusively and indissolubly to any race or nation, to any one particular way of life, or to any set of customs, ancient or modern. The church is faithful to its traditions and is at the same time conscious of its universal mission; it can, then, enter into communion with different forms of culture, thereby enriching both itself and the cultures themselves."
-- Gaudium et spes, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Second Vatican Council (1965)
Objectives
Knowledge : To understand that, in the Catholic, sacramental world view, all cultures have elements that are holy and elements that are sinful, and that all human cultures have the potential to lead people to God; To know that while the church was born in a particular time and place and culture, it is open to people in all times and places, especially when its members do the often difficult work of cultural adaptation;
Skills : To be able to explain the non-Christian origins and Christian adaptations of such cultural customs as Christmas trees, Easter eggs, etc. To effectively use the Internet to learn about the variety of cultures that make up the world and the church. To articulate why it is the Catholic way to seek out, experience, and appreciate different cultures.
Attitudes : To value and respect the variety of human cultures as part of God's hope, love, and faith in humanity. To desire to always learn and respect more deeply the cultures of others. To simultaneously respect and critique one's own culture in the light of the gospel, seeing both positive and negative aspects.
The Universal Church
Conflict and Cultural Diversity
Vatican II and Church Teaching on Cultural Diversity
Holy United Nations!
Melting Pot or Salad Bar?
Diversity Handout
