-
QUESTION : I have come across some articles and videos claiming that celebrating or participating in cultural festivals like Onam, Pongal, or Diwali is equivalent to idolatry and pagan worship, and therefore forbidden for Catholics. What is the official position of the Church on this matter? – Peter Thomas
- ANSWER : Saji Mathew Kanayankal CST
The question is indeed valid and can help many people gain a clearer understanding of the Catholic Church’s position on participating in cultural festivals with religious elements. First and foremost, it is important to distinguish between pure religious festivals and cultural celebrations that have a religious dimension. In India, we find several festivals—such as Onam, Diwali, Pongal and so son —that are deeply rooted in the cultural and traditional fabric of the country. While these celebrations are primarily cultural, they often include rituals associated with Hinduism. On the other hand, festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Kumbh Mela, and Janmashtami are explicitly religious in nature. These are observed with specific customs, rituals, and religious practices that are integral to Hindu worship.
Culture: Heritage of Humanity
The Catholic Church views culture that “flows immediately from the spiritual and social character of man” (Gaudium et Spes, 59) as a fundamental dimension of human existence, reflecting humanity’s ongoing effort to understand and perfect itself and the world around it. There is a profound connection between human culture and the proclamation of salvation. As the Second Vatican Council affirms, God has spoken through the cultural forms specific to each historical age (GS, 58). Consequently, the Church acknowledges the intrinsic value of diverse cultures and recognises their dynamic relationship with the Christian faith and the mission of the Church. Culture encompasses humanity’s quest to understand and shape the world through knowledge and labour, to humanise social life, to express interior experiences through art and literature, and to create customs and institutions.
Pope John Paul II, in his address to university professors and cultural leaders in Coimbra on 15 May 1982, emphasised: “The Church does not intend to deny the autonomy of culture. On the contrary, she has the greatest respect for it,” since culture “is not only an object of redemption and elevation but can also play a role of mediation and cooperation.” Addressing the indigenous peoples of the Americas on 12 October 1992, he further stated: “A faith that does not become culture is a faith not fully accepted, not fully reflected upon, not faithfully lived.” Later, Pope Francis echoed this understanding, reaffirming the role of culture in the continuous unfolding of human identity and dignity: “Culture is a dynamic reality which a people constantly recreates; each generation passes on a whole series of ways of approaching different existential situations to the next generation, which must in turn reformulate it as it confronts its own challenge” (Evangelii Gaudium, 122). Throughout history, the Church has drawn from the insights and expressions of various cultures to communicate the message of Christ effectively across different peoples and times. While cultural diversity presents challenges, it also invites the Church to maintain a “watchful and critical attitude,” while at the same time showing “confident attention” (Vita Consecrata, 98).
Cultural expressions are not only human achievements but also profound manifestations of humanity’s spiritual yearning and desire for communion with God. The Church, as a living and incarnate reality within the shifting circumstances of history, has continually embraced diverse cultures in order to proclaim the Gospel effectively (GS, 58). It acknowledges that “Christianity does not have simply one cultural expression” (VC, 116), and it strives to discern and integrate the positive elements of every culture, adapting them in light of the Gospel and the demands of each historical moment.
Cultural expressions are not only human achievements but also profound manifestations of humanity’s spiritual yearning and desire for communion with God. As John Paul II noted in his message to the École Française on 9 November 1998, such expressions often reveal a deep spiritual dimension. The Church, as a living and incarnate reality within the shifting circumstances of history, has continually embraced diverse cultures in order to proclaim the Gospel effectively (GS, 58). It acknowledges that “Christianity does not have simply one cultural expression” (VC, 116), and it strives to discern and integrate the positive elements of every culture, adapting them in light of the Gospel and the demands of each historical moment.
Hence, culture deserves respect and a certain inviolability, provided it upholds the dignity of the individual and the common good. As Pope Paul VI taught in Evangelii Nuntiandi: “Though independent of cultures, the Gospel and evangelization are not necessarily incompatible with them; rather they are capable of permeating them all without becoming subject to any one of them” (EN, 20).
Recognizing this rich cultural patrimony, Pope Francis frequently underscores the importance of respecting and engaging with cultural diversity and festivals. He encourages the Church to view such festivals within the broader framework of evangelization and inculturation. They serve not only as expressions of popular piety but also as meaningful opportunities for dialogue and the transmission of faith (EG, 122). In his address to the participants in the plenary session of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization on 29 September 2017, Pope Francis acknowledged the specific contributions of various peoples and their cultures in the Church’s journey. He affirmed that the rich traditions of different peoples are authentic gifts that reveal the creative action of the Father. These cultural treasures, when embraced within the unity of the Church, become instruments of grace, seeds of salvation, and pathways to universal peace and dialogue. Following the Amazon Synod, Pope Francis powerfully reiterated that the Church’s authentic Tradition is not static but rather a “constantly growing tree.” It is called not to merely guard ashes, but to keep the flame of faith alive.
Mutual Enrichment
The Church affirms and embraces the mutual relationship it shares with cultures across the world. As the Second Vatican Council teaches, the Church “is not bound exclusively and indissolubly to any race or nation, to any particular way of life, ancient or modern” (GS, 58). Faithful to her own tradition and conscious of her universal mission, the Church is called to enter into communion with various civilizations, fostering a dynamic relationship of mutual enrichment—both accepting and enhancing each other. Pope Francis echoes this vision, stating that “God’s gift becomes flesh in the culture of those who receive it” (EG, 115). He describes this process as a double movement: “On the one hand, a fruitful process takes place when the Gospel takes root in a given place, for whenever a community receives the message of salvation, the Holy Spirit enriches its culture with the transforming power of the Gospel. On the other hand, the Church herself undergoes a process of reception that enriches her with the fruits of what the Spirit has already mysteriously sown in that culture. In this way, ‘the Holy Spirit adorns the Church, showing her new aspects of revelation and giving her a new face’” (Querida Amazonia, 68; EG, 116).
Culture encompasses humanity’s quest to understand and shape the world through knowledge and labour, to humanise social life, to express interior experiences through art and literature, and to create customs and institutions.
This openness to diverse cultural practices and traditions has become more pronounced during the pontificate of Pope Francis, particularly through the Amazon Synod. He emphasized the importance of listening to the ancestral wisdom of the Amazon, valuing the voices of its elders, and recognizing the richness embedded in the way of life of indigenous communities (QA, 70).
The People of God, led by the Holy Spirit, are called to discern God’s presence and action in the events, aspirations, and needs of contemporary society. Faith becomes a lens that illuminates every dimension of human experience and directs the human heart toward truly humane and life-giving solutions. Pope Francis further encourages the faithful to appreciate and reflect upon indigenous symbols and cultural expressions: “It is possible to take up an indigenous symbol in some way, without necessarily considering it as idolatry. A myth charged with spiritual meaning can be used to advantage and not always considered a pagan error. Some religious festivals have a sacred meaning and are occasions for gathering and fraternity, albeit in need of a gradual process of purification or maturation” (QA, 79). In this spirit, the Church continues her journey of inculturation—welcoming the beauty of every culture, allowing the Gospel to take root in diverse soils, and discovering anew the multifaceted face of Christ in the life of peoples around the world.
Cultural Festivals: Means of Celebration and Dialogue
The Church acknowledges culture as a gift from God and a meaningful medium through which people express both their humanity and spirituality. Cultural traditions—especially those linked to popular celebrations—can rightly be embraced by members of the Church, provided they do not contradict the essential truths of the Christian faith. While cultural feasts and liturgical celebrations are distinct in nature, the Church encourages a harmonious and respectful relationship between the two. Popular devotions and local festivals, when rightly oriented, can deepen faith, foster communal identity, and provide fertile ground for evangelization.
The rich traditions of different peoples are authentic gifts that reveal the creative action of the Father. These cultural treasures, when embraced within the unity of the Church, become instruments of grace, seeds of salvation, and pathways to universal peace and dialogue.
Engagement with cultural festivals and traditions also serves to strengthen relationships within families, communities, and the broader society. Events such as Cultural Weeks, Arts Festivals, and Exhibitions, often organized in collaboration with civic institutions, promote dialogue between the Church and civil society. They also serve as pastoral opportunities to follow the “pathway of beauty”, a privileged means of inculturating the faith and making the Gospel accessible in a contextually meaningful way.
The aim of such participation is not to erase cultural identity, but rather to enable the baptised to internalise the Gospel and shape their lives accordingly—without having to renounce authentic cultural values. In this way, the Church fulfils her mission to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ to every human heart and every culture, affirming that all dimensions of human reality have been redeemed through Christ.
However, prudence and discernment are necessary. Pope Francis cautions against the hasty condemnation of religious practices that emerge organically from the lived faith of the people, warning that such dismissals may overlook their genuine spiritual value. Instead, he urges the Church to “distinguish the wheat growing alongside the tares,” recognising that: “popular piety can enable us to see how the faith, once received, becomes embodied in a culture and is constantly passed on” (QA, 78).This pastoral sensitivity fosters a genuine inculturation that involves not only individuals but entire communities, respecting their journey of faith while guiding them toward deeper communion with the Gospel.
The Church acknowledges culture as a gift from God and a meaningful medium through which people express both their humanity and spirituality. Cultural traditions—especially those linked to popular celebrations—can rightly be embraced by members of the Church, provided they do not contradict the essential truths of the Christian faith.
At the same time, the Church remains attentive to situations in which cultural practices risk overshadowing or distorting the integrity of the liturgy. In such instances, pastoral dialogue, catechesis, and careful discernment are essential. Rather than immediately rejecting such practices, the Church promotes their gradual purification—unless they are gravely incompatible with Christian doctrine.
Catechesis plays a vital role in these efforts, offering theological clarity and guidance to help communities distinguish between authentic cultural expression and elements that may contradict the Gospel. Episcopal conferences often provide pastoral directives on this matter, especially in culturally diverse regions. For example, the ‘Doctrinal Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church’ published a booklet titled Celebration of Onam and Christian Faith (18 August 2024), which offers a clear articulation of the Church’s position on Onam celebrations. After reviewing Church teachings and the socio-cultural context of Kerala, the statement affirms: “The people of Kerala understand Onam as a cultural celebration. Christians celebrate it not as part of the celebration of any religious faith. … Christians do not give an interpretation based on faith to Onam apart from being a celebration which expresses love, friendship, and happiness among men. Therefore, we cannot say celebrating Onam as a cultural celebration is wrong.” This official clarification reflects the Church’s broader pastoral approach: to affirm what is good, noble, and humanising in cultural practices while guiding the faithful toward an ever deeper and purified expression of the Christian faith.
