Dossier INCULTURATIONAnscar J. Chupungco: Liturgical Inculturation. Sacramentals, Religiosity, and CatechesisCollegeville, Pueblo, The Liturgical Press, 1992:1. Preliminary Questions on Inculturation (13-54) - A Definition of Terms (13-31)Indigenization: process of conferring on Christian liturgy a cultural form that is native to the local community;adapting the liturgy to what was perceived to be the native or indigenous elements of the people's culture."Something is indigenous when it originates in or is produced, grows, and lives naturally in its own region orenvironment. In this sense, nothing can be made native or indigenous in foreign soil. Hence an indigenizedChristian liturgy is an impossibility". (p.16).Another difficulty: the question of determining which elements constitute indigenous culture. Most countriespossess today an admixture of cultures."There is also the risk of creating a liturgy that is of interest to historians of culture but not the liturgicalassembly as a whole. Reversal to the indigenous form of culture or to an ancestral type smacks of archaeologyand romanticism. We know that cultures are in a continual process of change due to mutual influenceencouraged by modern means of communications." (p.17)Incarnation: The conciliar decree sets Christ's incarnation as an exemplar to be copied faithfully. As Christbecame a Jew in all things save sin, so the Church should become not merely a Church in but the Church of aparticular locality. The incarnation is the theological basis of liturgical adaptation, not a synonym. 'Incarnation'is a technical term that should be set aside to express the unique mystery of God, who took our human nature.Contextualization: The life and mission of the Church will be relevant on condition that they relate tocontemporary society. The environment and setting in which the local Church lives are the contexts that shedlight on its theology, sacramental life, and missionary activity.(on its use for liberation:) "Contextual...