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| Bishop Wainaina of Murang'a Diocese |
While presenting his paper to the AMECEA delegates in Lilongwe, Bishop Wainaina described inculturation in Liturgy is the only way local communities are able to identify with the Word of God in their local realities.
He however warned against disjointed and uncoordinated attempts at inculturation adding that “Liturgy is an exercise of the Priestly office of Jesus Christ”.
“There has been a lack in systematic, well organised, officially initiated inculturation. The dancing, the change in vestments fabric, patterns and forms, and much of what makes our liturgy very lively have mostly been introduced without due diligence,” he told the delegates.
Describing liturgy as a Divine human encounter and a meeting place between God and man, the Bishop urged the local Church to follow the instruction Varietates Legitimae given by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in 1994, For the right application of the Sacrosanctum Concilium (Articles 37-40)
“The instructions urge the Church to adopt that rite which plays an important role in socio-religious expression of the people, and are not obscene in nature,” he added.
Bishop Wainaina singled out; liturgical dancing in the African context urging that care must be taken to eliminate any scenes or gestures that are obscene and offensive.
By Prince Henderson-ECM Communications Officer