Inculturation Project Office

SPECIFICS OF THE PROJECT

Inculturation:
The Lakota Inculturation Task Force, established in 1995 in the Diocese of Rapid City, is the first effort by the Church in the United States to seriously address the question of the relationship of Native culture and religion and the teaching and rites of the Catholic Church. The Task Force is composed of Catholic Lakota people who want to bring the gift of their Native religious heritage to the Church. Serving as consultants to the Task Force are specialists in theology, anthropology and liturgy.

The Task Force addresses three areas of concern. The first area is an examination of what Lakota ritual items can be used in liturgical services and prayer services. The second is an examination of religious elements in Lakota life and ceremonies which prepare the way for the reception of the Gospel and its expression in the Church. The third is an examination of Lakota philosophy and theology.

In 1997, with the bishop's approval, the Task Force published the Inculturation of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is ready to seek the bishop's permission to publish a document on Funeral Rites and will soon begin work on Marriage and Baptismal Rites.

In 1997, the Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Native American Catholics authorized, at the request of the Bishop of Tucson AZ, the formation of the Tohono O'Odham (Papago) Inculturation Task Force.

The Bishops' Committee wants to establish more task forces among the different Native communities throughout the United States.