Mission and inculturation: Preserving local language and culture in the Indonesian Church

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of the Indonesian Catholic Church in preserving local languages and cultures within the Asian context. Utilising a socio-historical approach, the research delves into the evolution of the Church’s mission from a pragmatic need for communication with local communities to a systematic effort to integrate local values into religious practices. The Church’s adoption of inculturation facilitates deeper dialogue between the Catholic faith and local cultures, actively contributing to the preservation of community languages and traditions. The study identifies numerous concrete efforts by the Church in cultural preservation, such as transliteration, translation, research, documentation and extensive linguistic studies. Additionally, the establishment of dedicated institutions and study centres, alongside the involvement of educational institutions such as Catholic universities and schools, further underscores the Church’s commitment to promoting and safeguarding the richness of local cultures.

Contribution: The findings highlight the multifaceted contributions of the Indonesian Catholic Church in fostering cultural heritage and supporting national development through its dedicated efforts in language and cultural preservation. Furthermore, this article significantly enhances the understanding of the mission and inculturation practices of the Catholic Church within the Asian context.