Pontifical Council for Culture
Encyclopedia
The Pontifical Council for Culture is a department of the Roman Curia
charged with fostering the relationship of the Catholic Church with different cultures. Pope John Paul II
founded it on 20 May 1982. He later merged the Pontifical Council for Dialogue with Non-Believers (founded in 1965) with it.
and by Pope Paul VI
on the importance of culture for the full development of the human person, the Pontifical Council was established to foster the relationship between the Gospel and cultures, and to study the phenomenon of indifference
in matters of religion
. It also fosters relationships between the Holy See
and exponents of the world of culture and promotes dialogue with the various contemporary cultures.
The Council has two sections: the Faith and Culture section concentrates on the work the Council did before the Council for Non-Believers was merged with it, while the Dialogue with Cultures section continues the work of the latter Council, establishing dialogue with those who do not believe in God or profess no religion, but who are open to genuine cooperation.
The Council cooperates with episcopal conference
s, universities and international organizations such as UNESCO
with regard to its field of interest.
The permanent staff at the Council's headquarters consists of little more than a dozen people, including the President (currently Gianfranco Ravasi
, the Secretary and the Under-Secretary. The Council has a slightly larger number of members, cardinals and bishops appointed by the Pope for five-year terms, who come together for the three-yearly plenary assemblies to evaluate the day-to-day running of the Council and to consider matters of special importance. The Pope also appoints consultors, who are yet more numerous, who can be called on at any time for advice and assistance.
gave the Council new impetus in his desire to build "a dialogue with contemporary artists". It has plans to mount a Holy See pavilion at the 2011 Venice Biennale
, the premiere international contemporary art festival..
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
charged with fostering the relationship of the Catholic Church with different cultures. Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
founded it on 20 May 1982. He later merged the Pontifical Council for Dialogue with Non-Believers (founded in 1965) with it.
Function
Following on the emphasis placed by the Second Vatican CouncilSecond Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
and by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
on the importance of culture for the full development of the human person, the Pontifical Council was established to foster the relationship between the Gospel and cultures, and to study the phenomenon of indifference
Indifferentism
Indifferentism, in Roman Catholic theology, describes the belief that there is no evidence that one religion or philosophy is superior to another. The Catholic Church ascribes indifferentism to all atheistic, materialistic, pantheistic, and agnostic philosophies...
in matters of religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
. It also fosters relationships between the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
and exponents of the world of culture and promotes dialogue with the various contemporary cultures.
The Council has two sections: the Faith and Culture section concentrates on the work the Council did before the Council for Non-Believers was merged with it, while the Dialogue with Cultures section continues the work of the latter Council, establishing dialogue with those who do not believe in God or profess no religion, but who are open to genuine cooperation.
The Council cooperates with episcopal conference
Episcopal Conference
In the Roman Catholic Church, an Episcopal Conference, Conference of Bishops, or National Conference of Bishops is an official assembly of all the bishops of a given territory...
s, universities and international organizations such as UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
with regard to its field of interest.
The permanent staff at the Council's headquarters consists of little more than a dozen people, including the President (currently Gianfranco Ravasi
Gianfranco Ravasi
Gianfranco Ravasi is an Italian prelate, a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves in the Roman Curia as President of the Pontifical Council for Culture. On 20 November 2010 Ravasi was created cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.-Early life:The eldest of three children, Gianfranco...
, the Secretary and the Under-Secretary. The Council has a slightly larger number of members, cardinals and bishops appointed by the Pope for five-year terms, who come together for the three-yearly plenary assemblies to evaluate the day-to-day running of the Council and to consider matters of special importance. The Pope also appoints consultors, who are yet more numerous, who can be called on at any time for advice and assistance.
Under Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
gave the Council new impetus in his desire to build "a dialogue with contemporary artists". It has plans to mount a Holy See pavilion at the 2011 Venice Biennale
Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years in Venice, Italy. The Venice Film Festival is part of it. So too is the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which is held in even years...
, the premiere international contemporary art festival..
Presidents of the Pontifical Council for Culture
- Gabriel-Marie GarroneGabriel-Marie GarroneGabriel-Marie Garrone was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and a Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education....
(20 May 1982 - 19 Apr 1988 ) - Paul Poupard (19 Apr 1988 - 3 Sept 2007)
- Gianfranco RavasiGianfranco RavasiGianfranco Ravasi is an Italian prelate, a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves in the Roman Curia as President of the Pontifical Council for Culture. On 20 November 2010 Ravasi was created cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.-Early life:The eldest of three children, Gianfranco...
(3 Sept 2007 -)