AFRICAN CULTURE AS A BASIS FOR ECUMENISM

Résumé

Ecumenism is a process by which Christian Churches that had been separated by doctrinal, social, ethnic, political and institutional factors move towards cooperation and unity, by mutual understanding and respect through dialogue. This piece argues that the foundation of this dialogue must be anchored on the foundation of what is really common to all or is acceptable by all. It further argues that the African culture, which has given churches in Africa a distinctive identity, can serve as a basis for ecumenism. Thus, particular beliefs in the religious, religio-social, religio-cultural and religio-moral spheres of African traditional belief system can serve as a common ground for ecumenical dialogue.