Questions on A Catholic Mission and the Purification of Culture

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Responses to Article Questions
Answer 1
Although it was a general perception that Catholic missionaries aimed to maintain the native cultural practices, on the ground, missionaries appeared to discourage native cultural practices. For instance, Bruno Pehl forced the converted villagers to forego their practice of living separately in small villages and form a community (Barnes 174). Similarly, the missionaries changed the native matrimonial rituals and enforced freedom of choice in matrimonial practices. The natives were also forced to let several non-Christian practices by the chapels established in all parts of the native villages (Barnes 175). In the same way, the native ritual language has been dramatically impacted by the Christian theological teachings and linguistic elements as Lamarela's official ritual language is virtually non-existent on account of the use of the Catholic version of this language in liturgical practices (Barnes 175).
Answer 2
Barnes informs the readers that the Jesuits introduced the concept of "inculturation." J. de Vries and Cornellius ten Brink were the two Dutch Catholic Jesuits who came to the region in June 1886 and remained in the region till 1920 (Barnes 170). Finally, they transferred the spiritual and religious leaders to native Catholic societies, and their efforts led to the conversion of the whole Lamelra into a Catholic village.
Answer 3
Barnes disapproves of the concept that Christianity is the only monotheistic religion and references Hubert Muda that a Christian sense of superiority over being the only monotheistic religion is the central cause of conflict between Christianity and other religions. He further says that the viewpoint upheld by Christian missionaries that other religions are primitive and inferior to Christianity has greatly influenced Christian missionaries. Furthermore, he quotes Mantovani and says that Christianity must respect other religions, including Islam and Hinduism, to g...