Today meetings among various cultures are increasing radically according to huge growth of migration caused by Globalization, Korean society is no exception. That is, the worry about ‘How do people from diverse cultures live together?’ became an u...
Today meetings among various cultures are increasing radically according to huge growth of migration caused by Globalization, Korean society is no exception. That is, the worry about ‘How do people from diverse cultures live together?’ became an unavoidable reality. Thus the church community in Multicultural Age should care about immigrant as new types of poor and isolated neighbor than ever before. Because Interculturalism is demanded newly in Multicultural Age and is important value which corresponds to the catholicity of salvation and the identity of the church, it is very meaningful to reflect Interculturalism concretely in the church community. In this dimension, this study is going to attempt to connect Interculturalism to the church community through theological reflection and consider specific role of the church community on that attempt.
In chapter 1, I analyze Interculturalism rose newly at the needs of the times today looking around various attempts-Assimilation, Transculturalism and Multiculturalism-on a basis of regarding immigration as a reality. In the perspective of Interculturalism, culture is understood as dynamic thing and differences inter cultures are understood as positive elements for development of individual and society. Interculturalism contains lots of main contents like 'Intercultural Meeting', 'Education of Understanding and Communication' , 'Integration through Acknowledgement and Embracement'. Furthermore it can be very practical choice helping to understand various social problems tied to cultural varieties.
In chapter 2, I examine the being itself of Jesus Christ and Multicultural identity revealed in his teachings and Multicutural backgrounds at the Age of Jesus through the Bible. For this, I am going to try to find out values of Interculturalism focusing on Gospel above all things. The Genealogy of Jesus and the Incarnation case and linguistic, cultural, spiritual, religious, political, social situations at the Age of Jesus help us concentrate to Intercultural backgrounds of Jesus. Also from Jesus' Paschal mystery of the Death and the Resurrection, the Prayer Jesus prayed for unity and Meetings and Dialogues with strangers obviously report teachings of Jesus Christ who is Intercultural mediator and genuine Savior for human beings.
In chapter 3, I examine theological reflections about identity of the Church and vision of Interculturalism revealed in teachings of the church. In fact, Intercultural character is already becoming a reality in the church community that forms community of friendship through ‘The Descent of the holy Spirit at Pentecost’ in ‘The Trinity God’ and lives remembering the identity called ‘The Pilgrimaging People of God’. Many contents associated with Interculturalism are mentioned in official documents of the Church. Especially texts of「Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World 」in the document of Vatican Council Ⅱ and「Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees」, the Apostolic Exhortation「The Joy of the Gospel」, the Instruction of Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants「The Love of Christ towards Migrants」offer room for looking around Intercultural vision concretely.
In chapter 4, I suggest several opinions about many efforts required for fulfilling Intercultural value in the church community. First of all, I examine pastoral and practical proposal of the cooperation of all people of the church. In this regard, it is required to have pastoral strategy according to ideal organization from universal church and train pastoral workers on ample inter-negotiation between Departure church and Destination church and reorganize the pastoral structure. While Interreligious Dialogue as the demand of the times for fulfilling Interculturalism is very urgent problem for the church community and performs very important role. So Interreligious Dialogue is necessary to be mentioned particularly and sincerely.
Interculturalism on the rise in Multicultural Age is a precious and inherent value in good example of Jesus Christ and teachings of the church community as his body. According to Interculturalism, Intercultural meetings are Interpersonal meetings and all human beings is equal because they have an eager desire towards to God. Therefore the Interculture differences should be regarded positive element that enriches all of human being community, not as negative element. In this context, the Catholicity of the church shouldn't stay in exoteric aspects moreover, but be expanded to spiritual aspects like Experience about Existence of God and Catholicity about Salvation of God for all people. For this the church community should endeavor to make Intercultural community in faith to Jesus Christ, furthermore devote herself to world to realize common good of human being actively.