Welcome to the Vatican’s “Artisans of Hope” meeting, where representatives from Catholic cultural centers worldwide gathered on Monday, February 17th, in celebration of the Jubilee of Artists and Culture. Organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the meeting saw around forty delegates from various universities, dioceses, and religious congregations coming together to discuss their role in promoting and supporting culture within the Catholic community.
During the meeting, participants shared insights from their respective regions, highlighting the unique challenges and successes they face. From interreligious dialogue in India to the promotion of film and sports in Brazil, each cultural center showcased its efforts in enriching the local community through art and culture.
Cardinal De Mendonça, the prefect of the Dicastery, emphasized the importance of working together as a community of “artisans” to weave the threads of the Gospel into everyday life. He underscored the need to reestablish the dialogue between faith and culture, echoing Pope Francis’s call to “root hope in culture.”
Reviving a network
Bishop Paul Tighe, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture, led the meeting, aiming to revive the network of Catholic cultural centers and facilitate communication among them. Each center operates uniquely based on its cultural context and history, presenting various challenges that require support and collaboration.
The concept of Catholic Cultural Centers gained institutional recognition during the Second Vatican Council, emphasizing the importance of culture in human development. Efforts to coordinate these centers culminated in the creation of the Pontifical Council for Culture in 1982, leading to the first global meeting in Paris in 1993.
Places of listening, respect, and tolerance
Cardinal De Mendonça recalled how the Church has long recognized the evangelization of culture as a means to bridge the gap between faith and society. Pope John Paul II referred to cultural centers as places of listening, respect, and tolerance, essential for engaging with diverse perspectives within the Church.
“We believe in community”
Building on Pope Francis’s vision of a culture rooted in communal values, Cardinal De Mendonça emphasized the Church’s commitment to fostering a sense of community through cultural initiatives. The ability to dream and collaborate on cultural projects is fundamental to creating a shared vision that transcends individual interests.
Sharing faith through culture
Claudio Mario Betti, Director of the Australian Catholic University Rome campus, highlighted the role of culture in transmitting the Catholic faith. He emphasized the need to redefine culture in a rapidly changing world and emphasized Pope Francis’s call for creators of culture to enrich society.
Optimism in engaging culture
Tomas Landy, Director of the McFarland Center for Religion, Ethics, and Culture, shared insights on engaging with culture in the United States. He emphasized the Church’s optimistic view of culture as a means of expressing the Gospel and enriching society through diverse perspectives.
