John Palathinkal is a priest of the Diocese of Diphu, Assam, India. He holds a doctorate in theology from the Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, Austria. He conducts retreats and offers spiritual guidance and pastoral counselling in various countries across Europe and the United States. Currently, he is engaged in pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Regensburg, Germany.
It is with great joy and profound appreciation that I write this foreword for Dr. John Palathinkal's book, Inculturation and Dialogue a Theological and Pastoral Study in the Context of Karbi Culture. This work, a slightly revised version of his doctoral dissertation, represents a significant contribution to the theological and pastoral discourse on inculturation, particularly in the context of the Catholic Church's mission among the Karbi people.
The concept of inculturation, deeply rooted in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, remains a pressing need in the contemporary Church's mission. Evangelization is not a mere transmission of doctrine but a transformative encounter between the Gospel and cultures. As Dr. Palathinkal so effectively argues, theological doctrine must be inextricably linked to pastoral concerns and the evangelizing mission of the Church. Without such integration, the Church's efforts risk remaining distant from the lived realities of the people it seeks to serve.
This study meticulously explores the cultural landscape of the Karbis, highlighting their rich traditions, values, and social structures. By doing so, it underscores the necessity for the Gospel to take root in local culture, ensuring that Christianity does not become an alien imposition but rather a faith that speaks authentically to the hearts of the people. The book makes it clear that the mission of the Church among the Karbis must bridge the gap between faith and culture through dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect for traditional values.
Dr. Palathinkal's research reveals the significant contributions of the Catholic Church to the Karbi people, particularly in the fields of education, social development, and moral transformation. However, it also candidly acknowledges the limitations of past missionary approaches, which, at times, did not sufficiently engage with the Karbi cultural heritage. His analysis calls for a renewed pastoral commitment-one that embraces the richness of Karbi culture while allowing the transformative power of the Gospel to bring about its renewal and growth.
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