Catholic Cultural Centres (1998)

Introduction

During the autumn of 1993, the Pontifical Council for Culture undertook a census of Catholic cultural centres operating throughout the world, with the express aim that they should get to know more about each other, communicate more actively and work more effectively together.

The responses received led to the publication, in 1995, of the International Directory of Catholic Cultural Centres. This is evidence of a situation which is rich and varied, whether it is a question of names (cultural centres or circles, academies, university institutions, houses of formation), of orientation (theological, scientific, educational, artistic etc.), of chosen themes (cultural trends, values, inter-cultural or inter-religious dialogue, science, art, etc.) or of the activities undertaken (talks, debates, courses, seminars, publications, libraries, cultural events, exhibitions etc.). The very concept of a "Catholic cultural centre" is, for this reason, to be understood in a broad sense, which corresponds to the rich variety of situations in different countries. In principle it refers both to institutions linked with an ecclesiastical body (parish, diocese, BishopsÂ’ Conference, religious order etc.) and to private initiatives of Catholics, as long as they function in communion with the Church. All these centres offer cultural activities with a constant concern for the relationship between faith and culture through dialogue, scientific research, formation and the promotion of a culture which faith inspires and makes fruitful, refreshing and powerful: "Catholic cultural centres offer to the Church the possibility of presence and action in the field of cultural change. They constitute, in effect, public forums which allow the Church to make widely known, in creative dialogue, Christian convictions about man, woman, family, work, economy, society, politics, international life, the environment. Thus they are places of listening, respect and tolerance" (Ecclesia in Africa, 103).

The Pontifical Council for Culture presents this second edition of the International Handbook, compiled on the basis of information received since 1995. It cannot claim to be exhaustive: if the enclosed forms are duly filled in and sent to the Pontifical Council for Culture, it will be possible to include new centres in a further updated edition. It would also be useful to have information regarding the content of the present edition, particularly for address amendments, and above all telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses and Internet website details.

In its new expanded form, this reference volume will be better able to stimulate the outreach and effectiveness of Catholic cultural centres throughout the world, and to facilitate contact between them, in order to promote and encourage an ever more fruitful dialogue between faith and cultures, Tertio Millennio Adveniente.