To animate the dialogue between faith and culture and promote the meeting with society, the Pontifical Council for Culture has developed, since 1993, a programme of promotion and coordination of Catholic cultural centers, operating in different parts of the world.
These centers, institutes, training houses and other institutions of the Church are involved at the local or regional level in the dialogue between faith and culture and the promotion of Christian culture.
Catholic Cultural Centers are public forums, meeting places for reflection, study and information, exchange of ideas and deepening of faith and culture. They offer to Catholics, as to every person interested in a cultural meeting, opportunities for contact and fruitful exchange on the world and history, religion and art, culture and science, and help discern the values that can illuminate existence and give meaning to life (cf. Ecclesia in Africa, 103).
Catholic Cultural Centers cover a great variety of activities: in names (Circles, Cultural Centers, Academies, Universities, formation houses, etc.); in areas treated (theological, scientific, educational, artistic, etc.); in themes of work (cultural trends, values, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, science, art, etc.); and in activities (conferences, debates, courses, seminars, publications, libraries, cultural events, exhibitions, etc.). Behind the common name of “Catholic Cultural Center,” diverse realities are hidden, characterized by many activities and interests, meeting local needs and demands, with the cultural and social traditions of each centre.
For more information:
http://www.cultura.va/content/
