Inculturation in Africa today is confronted by a serious challenge against a phenomenon of growing urbanisation. Frequent wars and guerrilla warfare force millions of people to move towards the cities in search of safety. At this pace, there are countries that in a short while will have most of their population concentrated in urban groups where, under the strong influence of "mass media", the mentality and cultural habits will undergo rapid and considerable changes to which pastoral work of inculturation must provide an adequate answer.
Sickness and health in Africa expect the Church to increase healthcare and pastoral care. Treating the sick is a condition for overcoming certain beliefs and fetishist practices which are incompatible with Christian moral.
It is not always possible to recover one's health. However, it is possible to give comfort to the sick and help of the divine grace. Sometimes this is what they mostly need, and this is the role of pastoral care. Anointing the sick, which must be administered by the right person must be a pastoral need on the part of the Church towards its suffering members. The new ritual of anointing enjoys all the necessary help.
Also when there is no therapeutic charisma this pastoral care can prevent the sick from consulting certain people whose actions would be negative for their soul and perhaps also for their body.
Original text: Portuguese
