The Review

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The Pontifical Council for Culture publishes every four months a journal Culture e Fede – (Cultures and Faith) with articles in French, English, Spanish and Italian. Each number is monographic and also hosts documents, texts of conferences, news and information about the activity of the Dicastery as well as book reviews and details of new publications looking at the dialogue between faith culture and non-belief.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Rethinking Anthropology

    Volume No. 2 XXX 2022 of the journal traces the contours of a necessary humanism, to respond to the anthropological challenges faced by the Church and by men and women today. The volume gathers the fruits of the final Plenary assembly of the former Pontifical Council for Culture on the theme "Rethinking Anthropology: Toward a Necessary Humanism". We look at the roots of the Christian vision that emerged from the confluence of Classical humanism and Biblical humanism and also at... Read more
  • Decolonisation and Inculturation

    Volume No. 1 XXX 2022 of the journal offers the perspective of African Cultures and Christianity, looking at questions of decolonialisation and inculturation. At a time of cultural recalibration – in the vein of Black Lives Matter, the Savoy-Sarr Report, and the African Union’s Days for African Cultural Renaissance – we continue to consider how the Christian community takes up and engages with the form of the different cultures it encounters, geographically and historically. A set of invited... Read more
  • Artificial Intelligence

    Volume No. 3 XXIX 2021 of the journal is dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, looking at questions of consciousness and human nature, philosophical, legal and ethical challenges, and how we can live AI better as a society. There are also the usual columns from the Courtyard, the Youth and Women’s Groups, the Departments, and the regular activities of the dicastery. See the Index of contributions in their original languages. ... Read more
  • Fashion

    Volume No. 2 XXIX 2021 of the journal explores the world of clothing, costume and fashion with reflections on creativity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, psychological significance and identity politics.

    See the Editorial and the Index of contributions in their original languages.

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  • Sensorial Transformations with Fratelli Tutti

    Volume n. 1 XXIX 2021 of the Journal offers a cultural reading of Fratelli Tutti. Exploring the totality of human experience represented through the five senses, the monographic section of the review offers a series of cultural critiques regarding the legal, philosophical-theological, political-social, educational and ethical fields of coexistence. Touching issues from racism to justice, tenderness to fragility, suffering to poverty, ecology to economy, the review follows the vision of Fratelli... Read more
  • Literature, Revealer of Mystery

    Volume n. 3 XXVIII 2020 of the Journal has as its theme Literature. Literature has the capacity to reveal the universal as it is found in diverse, particular locations, cultures and contexts. By leading us to look at things more closely, with a different perspective, writers have the ability to open us up to deeper truths. In this sense, it is an art that, as John Paul II said, "is by its nature a kind of appeal to the mystery." See the Editorial in English and the Index of... Read more
  • Digitization

    Volume n. 2 XXVIII 2020 of the Journal has as its theme Digitization. Digitization seems to have led society to face considerable consequences in many areas of human activity. The possibility of translating the most diverse and complex information into binary numbers has pushed post-modern societies toward a strong and, presumably, lasting change. In this issue of our journal, various experts reflect on this phenomenon, including a look at the technical aspects of developments in artificial... Read more
  • 'Lest our horizons shrink'

    The monographic section covers a number of viewpoints: the history of the missions, veneration of ancestors, cultural challenges in politics and peace-making, statecraft and the presence of women. Together the articles paint humanism with an Asian face, making clear the universality of Catholicism. Other sections witness the activities of the Courtyard of the Gentiles and the departments for sports, humanities, music and cinema. See the index and note the original languages. Editorial: Lest our... Read more
  • Ecology

    Volume N. 3 XXVII 2019 of the review of the Dicastery focuses on ecological matters. An examination of the human duty to care for creation opens this volume, which explores a number of ethical imperatives that feature in the papal encyclical Laudato Si’ on care for the common home. Some of the philosophical traditions behind an integral ecology and a human-centered ecology are then developed together with an overview of current scientific challenges. A young prophetic voice blasts society’s... Read more
  • Youth Perspectives

    Volume N. 2 XXVII 2019 of the review of the Dicastery focuses on the perspectives of youth in contemporary culture. Twenty young people invited by Cardinal Ravasi help the Dicastery by offering their reflections on a regular basis. Here we gather some of their thoughts on communication in the digital age, the ails faced by the youth including, drug addiction, peer pressure, violence, citizenship and ideals and so much more. See the index and note the original languages. You can read the... Read more
  • Music and Belief

    Volume N. 1 XXVII 2019 of the review of the Dicastery focuses on musical matters. It includes analysis of religion in pop music, reflections on prayer and psalmody, an architect's vision of the physical place of music in church, thoughts on music and eternity, music in the liturgy and as culture, and much more.  See the index and note the original languages. You can read the editorial here. Other sections of the review present the activities of the Courtyard of the Gentiles, the... Read more
  • Cultural Heritage

    Volume N. 3 XXVI 2018 of the review of the Dicastery focuses on cultural heritage. With the successful Vatican Chapels exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale, and the conference "Doesn't God live here anymore?", the theme continues to be a creative area in the service of memory and pastoral vitality. Tourism, education, collaboration and technology are just some of the characteristics that feature in a pastoral approach to cultural patrimony. See the index and note the... Read more
  • Unite to Cure

    Vol. XXVI 2018 N.2 of the Dicastery's journal is now out with a focus on culture and medical wellness. Observing how religious “codes of conduct” can impact our health, some have invoked a need to build bridges between science, cultures and religions in order to address issues around societal and overall human health, including management of healthcare systems. This edition of our journal contains ideas gathered at an International Conference in the Vatican that brought together physicians,... Read more
  • The Future of Humanity

    Vol. XXVI 2018 N.1 of the Dicastery's journal has its focus on the Future of Humanity. This edition contains the Acts of the Council’s November 2017 Plenary Assembly that aimed to open a dialogue about the future of humanity following recent developments in the fields of genetics, neuroscience and artificial intelligence, inter alia. These developments have the potential to radically transform many aspects of human life and they oblige us to think again about how we understand human health and... Read more
  • Courtyard Reflections

    Vol. XXV 2017 N.3 of the Dicastery's journal is now out with a focus on "Reflections from the Courtyard." The Courtyard of the Gentiles has a Rome-based think-tank stimulating and deepening its reflections on a number of issues, from music to time, beauty to economy, life and death issues, equality and work. These themes are at the center of a process of discernment and dialogues with varying partners around the world. Recently, the think-tank – whose contribution composes this... Read more
  • Pre-Columbian Cultures

    Vol. XXV 2017 N.2 of the Dicastery's journal is now out with a focus on "Pre-Columbian Cultures." Offering insights into the importance of diverse cultures and languages, the study section focuses on the perduring effects of the pre-Columbian period of Latin America. The journal also visits various moments in Latin American history that exemplify how the Gospel message was spread taking into account linguistic and cultural exchange. Mentalities and languages discussed include those of... Read more
  • The Time and Perspective of Women

    Vol. XXV 2017 N.1 of the Dicastery's journal is now out with a focus on "The Time and Perspective of Women". There is a difference. Human cultures are articulated in many ways and women's contributions have their times, perspectives and particularity, especially in relations. This is why a Women’s Consultation Group has emerged at the heart of the Pontifical Council for Culture. That group of women – psychologists, academics, mothers, diplomats, designers, theologians, actresses,... Read more
  • Living Fully 2016

    Vol. XXIV 2016 N.3 of the Dicastery's journal is now out with a focus on the “Living Fully 2016” conference. Exclusion and loneliness, both issues that people with disabilities face, were just two of the many topics the “Living Fully 2016” conference covered 24-26 June in Rome.  The first part of this edition of our journal contains details of the conference, along with articles written by participants of the event.  The “Living Fully” conference enabled leading experts on disability... Read more
  • Cellular Horizons

    Vol. XXIV 2016 N.2 of the Dicastery's journal is now out with a scientific focus on stem cell therapies. The first part contains the acts of The Third International Conference on the Progress of Regenerative Medicine and Its Cultural Impact, held in the Vatican on April 28-30, 2016. The conference looked at current advancements in stem cell research and the future of cellular therapies, including barriers to progress, ethical and evolutionary questions, and cultural issues arising. Stem cell... Read more
  • Literature and Mercy

    Vol. XXIV 2016 N.1 of the Dicastery's journal is now out with its focus on literature and mercy. From the Editorial: Editorial This edition of our journal is a small celebration of the descriptive power of literature to open our eyes to the human condition. We have papers on Thomas More’s Utopia in its fifth centenary, Shakespeare’s mercy in his 400th anniversary, the oft-overlooked poet Pierre Emmanuel during his 100th anniversary, and a panorama on mercy in contemporary fiction. These... Read more
  • Culture and Ecology

    Vol. XXIII 2015 N.3 of the Dicastery's journal has its focus on culture and ecology. Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato Si'" refers to the cultural dimension of the ecological crisis, appealing for a bold cultural revolution (n. 114) able to draw on the riches of the world's different cultures in the broadest sense. Together with info on our other activities, including the Holy See's Pavilion at Expo (pictured) this edition of the review carries four scholarly articles on culture and... Read more
  • Women's Cultures

    Vol. XXIII 2015 N.2 of the Dicastery's journal has its focus on women's cultures. The 2015 Plenary Assembly was dedicated to the theme of Women's Cultures: Equality and Difference. Gathering the fruits of that meeting, this is a snapshot of the ongoing reflections as we take up Pope Francis' invitation to discern how to engage with the real gifts women bring to cultures and to the Church. Four days of listening and hearing by the Dicastery with help from a group of women are captured here with... Read more
  • Music and Cultures

    Vol. XXIII 2015 N.1 of the Dicastery's journal has its focus on musical cultures.

    A series of introductory articles looks at the place of music in the world and in the life of the Church, painting a broad picture of some musical research and educational projects, work being done in safeguarding patrimony and developing new engagement through different cultures, and, of course, customs and developments applied in the liturgical sphere.

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  • Economy and Culture

    Vol. XXII 2014 N. 3 of the Dicastery's journal has its focus on economic culture.

    A series of introductory articles looks at tackling inequality, the globalisation of markets, inclusive growth agendas and putting humanity back into the heart of economics.

    Sections of the review also host some recensions of books received and an overview of the recent events and activities of the Dicastery.

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  • Culture and Mysticism

    Vol. XXII 2014 N. 2 of the review is a study of the nature of mysticism to allow readers to understand how we enter into relationship with God, the where and how this can be facilitated.

    The role of the cross for the female mystics, apostolic action in light of mystical experience of Him, and overcoming indifference without becoming aggressive are just some of the themes raised in this issue.

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  • Sport and Faith

    Vol. XXII 2014 N. 1

    Why sports agendas and life in the Church shouldn't collide.

    Dedicated to the way Sport and Faith interrelate and enrich each other. With articles on the Disabled Body, Beyond Sport and Revelation in Sport, not to mention the presentation of the St Peter's Cricket Club, the Journal includes papers from the meeting Believers in the World of Sport.

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  • Stem Cells and Regenerative Medecine

    Vol. XXI 2013 N. 3

    Do you know much about stem cell research, are you curious about its latest developments, or interested in how the Church is gearing up to respond? Or are you concerned about the ethical, social and economic consequences of the discoveries of regenerative medicine? 

    Posting to subscribers began on 9 January 2014.

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  • Art and Faith - a new dialogue

    Vol. XXI 2013 N.2

    What does the Church have to say to contemporary art and how can we listen to what the currents of the new artistic languages are trying to represent. These were the themes at the heart of the Holy See's initiative, led by the Pontifical Council for Culture to be present at the 55th edition of the Venice Biennale d'Arte in 2013 with its own Pavilion on the theme "Creation, Decreation, Re-creation". This publication tells the story.

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  • Youth Cultures

    Vol. XXI 2013 N. 1

    The cultural challenges the youth face today continue to evolve, albeit along familiar lines. New generations come and go, but the category of youth remains and a Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery was dedicated to listening to the perceptions of today's youth so as to reformulate a pastoral response.

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  • Thirty years of the Council for Culture

    Vol. XX 2012 N.3

    Thirty years after its creation on 20 May 1982, a celebratory day was organised to mark a milestone in the life of the Pontifical Council for Culture, with a liturgy, a film produced by Rai, interventions by historians and a prospectus on the future. This number of the Review contains interventions by both Cardinal Ravasi on the future and Cardinal Poupard on the past, as well as notes on the present activities of the Dicastery

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  • The Culture of the Elderly

    Vol. XX 2012 N.2

    Being elderly is one distinguished aspect of our nature, of being part of the human family; it is a part and parcel of life, more so where demographic trends are heading in a certain direction. Shaping the way we approach aging, both as individuals and as a society is the subject of the reflections of experts contributing to this special edition of our review.

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  • Adult Stem Cells

    Vol. XX 2012 N.1

    Ethics, healing, hope and collaboration were the focal points of a Vatican conference on Adult Stem Cell research, fifty years on from the first published article on the theme. Interdisciplinary dialogue between a variety of institutions and diversely motivated professional partners marked this event, some of whose key speeches and ideas are contained in this edition of the Review.

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  • Blogging and Culture

    Vol. XIX 2011 N. 4

    The Vatican Meeting for Bloggers. While encouraging a Christian presence in the blogging community, this meeting also welcomed bloggers from outside the Faith, as well as its critics. Can the Church engage in a dialogue with emerging cultures? Blogging is pertinent to this question, as it is an expression of modern culture. This meeting also recognized the importance of the internet as an anthropological space.

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  • Intercultural Dialogue

    Vol. XIX 2011 N. 3

    Exploring the relation between faith and culture, especially through intercultural contexts. How does faith affect specific demographics? The position expressed in this volume is that evangelization contributes to development among aboriginals, for example. This is relevant to all people, for spreading the Gospel can increase solidarity, and as a result, promote justice, peace, and respect for life.

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  • Courtyard of the Gentiles

    Vol. XIX 2011 N. 2

    Summarizing various events in the Courtyard of the Gentiles, this volume focuses on ways to create dialogues between believers and non-believers. Such dialogues have occurred in Bucharest, Florence, Tirana, Stockholm, Palermo, Barcelona, and other cities. As always a section is dedicated to other meetings involving the Dicastery such as that with Asian ambassadors to the Holy See and matters of faith, science, and atheism.

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  • Communications and Culture

    Vol. XIX 2011 N. 1 addresses digital communication, new languages and technologies, and evangelization through these venues. Specifically, how can we work with new means of communication, and how do we react to some of its potential downfalls, such as alienation, loss of identity, and diminution of personal interaction? Given our present-day secular society and advancing technologies, we ought to revitalize traditional approaches to theological discussion by modernizing both language and means... Read more
  • Culture and Africa

    Vol. XVIII 2010 N.4 Focusing on globalization, development, and culture. How does political and economic progress impact different cultures? This volume specifically discusses development in Africa, practices that are destructive to the African ecosystem, and the wider societal implications that result. Another pertinent topic is the introduction of technological and scientific advances in Africa. Such questions are addressed by the new forum “Culture and Development” created by the Church in... Read more
  • Latin American Cultures

     Vol. XVII 2010 N.3 The Church in Latin America. There is great diversity across the continent, varying from indigenous peoples to those of African heritage, and as a result there is also a wide range of languages and dialects. Nonetheless, Latin America is predominantly Catholic. Amidst political tension, ideological differences, and distinct traditions, the Church has an opportunity to respond to conflict and cultural diversity by integrating unique customs from people of distinct... Read more
  • Priests and Culture

    Vol. XVIII 2010 N.2 Celebrating the conclusion of the Year for Priests this edition of the Dicastery's Journal looks at how priests can use different cultural venues in their ministry? This volume explores the roles of priests in diverse regions of the world. Several reports summarize the work of the Church and the clergy in places such as Taiwan and Spanish America, while others discuss the priesthood as depicted in popular media, such as film. As leaders of the faithful, they can implement... Read more
  • Inspiration and Art

    Vol. XVIII 2010 N.1

    Some 300 artists from around the world gathered in the Sistine Chapel before The Last Judgement to hear Pope Benedict invite them to walk into a new alliance as Friends walking together between Faith and Art. This edition of the journal gathers some of the conversation.

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  • Languages of Charity

    Vol. XVII 2009 N.3 & 4

    A double edition of the review opens with a reflection on dialogue and communication in an age of evolving technology. With the increase of visual media, former ways of communicating need to be renewed. How can we use digital technology to transmit the Faith to larger audiences?

    A second part focuses on ethics and economy, that web of relations and moral beliefs by which we construct a better society.

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  • Artists and Belief

    Vol. XVII 2009 N.2

    What is the role of art within the Church, particularly since the 1900s as contemporary art has become increasingly diverse? Celebrating the tenth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Artists, this review covers various artistic festivals and symposia, including Pope Benedict’s meeting with artists in the Sistine Chapel, to display the importance of art in revealing the transcendent.

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  • Science and Faith

    Vol XVII 2009 N.1

    Evaluating the relationship between science and religion. Do they belong to completely separate fields, as some would contend? This volume presents articles arguing that science and religion, faith and reason, are complementary and together can address questions regarding creation and the universe.

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The Pontifical Council first published a modest bulletin called Church and Culture in 1984. These humble beginnings of a few typed pages stapled together saw two editions per year, with parallel publications in English, French, Spanish and Italian. Beginning in 1991, after seven years and fourteen editions, the bulletin transformed into a Review.

In 1993 came unification with the Council for Dialogue with non-believers, which had its own Information bulletin “pro manuscripto” recently transformed from Atheism and Dialogue into Atheism and Faith, which came out four times a year in French, English and Spanish.

So was born, in the third semester of 1993, the new and current review Cultures and Faith, a quarterly journal published in three languages: English, French and Spanish. In the Jubilee Year of 2000, in order to reach a wider public, the Italian language was added and the cover assumed a new graphical format.

Finally, the review underwent renewal in 2009 with a new typographical casting and a transformation of the content as new rubrics were added and each edition was dedicated to a particular theme. Currently there are three editions of the journal each year.

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Culture e Fede,  Pontifical Council for Culture,  00120  Vatican City

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