Abstract

For Christians in India, the Church’s opening to their world began with Roberto de Nobili in the seventeenth century. The author describes post-conciliar developments and sets them against this long history of creative and beneficial reflections within India on the topic of culture. In 1969, an all-India seminar set the agenda for the implementation of the Second Vatican Council, seeing mission as a threefold dialogue of the Gospel with the poor, with cultures and with religions. Theological discussions continued in the 1970s and 1980s, including seminars on whether non-biblical scriptures could be considered inspired, whether and how the Church can engage in the struggle for a new society, and whether and how far Christians can share worship with other religions. The article charts just some of key theological developments in India vis-à-vis culture and other religions, concluding with a plea for collaboration with all people of good will and greater acceptance of the reflections of the Indian faithful on these matters.