Faith and Inculturation: Building Unity Without Uniformity
by Cordelia Lee
Photo Credit: Damien Dellon
The Church of Saint Francis Xavier in Petaling Jaya recently hosted a thought-provoking talk on Faith and Inculturation by Rev. Fr. Dr. Clarence Devadass. He serves as the Director of the Catholic Research Centre and Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Communications and Media Office of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.
Fr. Clarence explained that inculturation is the encounter between the Gospel and human culture, whereby the Gospel takes root within a particular people and their way of life. He stressed that inculturation goes far beyond mere adaptation, imitation, or assimilation. Rather, it is a dynamic process that allows the Gospel to be expressed meaningfully within diverse cultural contexts, while remaining faithful to the universal teachings of the Church.
Drawing on Church teaching, Fr. Clarence noted that the Church does not seek to impose “a rigid uniformity” in matters of faith. Cultural expressions and traditions can be adapted, provided they remain in harmony with the Gospel.
“The challenge is to build unity without demanding uniformity,” said Fr Clarence.
He cautioned against adopting a “holier-than-thou” attitude when discussing matters of faith, and encouraged Catholics to engage in deeper reflection and discernment rather than becoming “keyboard warriors.” Liturgical diversity, he explained, should be seen as a source of enrichment, as unity does not require cultural uniformity.
Fr. Clarence emphasized that inculturation extends beyond language, music, gestures, dress, and other liturgical expressions. It involves bringing the Gospel into meaningful dialogue with the values, traditions, symbols, and realities of each culture. As such, inculturation shapes Christian living, relationships, pastoral ministry, social engagement, and mission, not merely the way Catholics celebrate the liturgy.
He further clarified that inculturation is not simply translating words into another language, adding local decorations to a Western expression of Christianity, uncritically adopting every cultural practice, or rejecting the universal dimension of the Church. Rather, it is a deeper process of encounter, transformation, and mutual enrichment.
Referring to the International Theological Commission’s 1988 definition, Fr. Clarence noted that inculturation is the process by which the Gospel enters, engages, purifies, transforms, and enriches cultures, while enabling the Church to express the one faith through the diversity of peoples and cultures.
The talk concluded with a call for the Church to be more inclusive and welcoming. Fr. Clarence encouraged the faithful to listen to cultures and enter people’s worlds, recognize the seeds of the Word already present within them, proclaim Christ, and build unity without demanding uniformity. In doing so, the one Gospel can take root and flourish in many cultures, enriching both the Church and society.
The event was organized by SFX Social Communications Ministry.