In his Encyclical letter Fides et Ratio, the Supreme Pontiff, John-Paul II, sustains with modern arguments the idea according to which the human being is naturally inclined to know. That knowledge focuses not only on everyday life, but also on man's fundamental needs and aspirations: the search for truth, truth about his radical origin, his existence, truth also about his destiny. Truth is the common denominator, which unites the profane sciences and the sacred sciences. All scientific disciplines converge on the same goal, the truth. But the human mind, by its own means, cannot reach the absoluteness of truth, for it is limited in space and time. It cannot go beyond its finitude. Hence there is a certain disproportion in the make up of the human being. On the one hand he is fundamentally characterised by the search for truth; on the other hand, that truth cannot be attained fully, unless God, who is the Truth, reveals himself to the finite mind which is stepping forward with a questioning-mind, through discussion.

Africa Tomorrow is a new forum of discussion. Aware of the necessity of both searching for truth and encountering the revealed truth, this periodical doesn't aim at discussing for the sake of discussing. That would sound hollow. Africa Tomorrow would like to give new evidence that "from the clash of ideas flashes forth truth". For this medium of reflection is also convinced that, "Driven by the desire to discover the ultimate truth of existence, human beings seek to acquire those universal elements of knowledge which enable them to understand themselves better and to advance in their own self-realization" (John-Paul II, Fides et Ratio, N. 4).

Truth is something that requires free discussion as well as fair sharing. Hence it will set us free (Jn. 8:32). Moreover, nobody can claim to possess truth in its fullness, nor can Africa Tomorrow. May the reflections brought about by this periodical be a contribution to the immense building of truth. By its aim, this periodical would like to achieve somehow the role the Holy Father grants to Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes: "The Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes in Africa have a prominent role to play in the Proclamation of the salvific Word of God. They are a sign of the growth of the Church insofar as their research integrates the truths and experiences of the faith and helps to internalize them. [Those institutions] serve the Church by providing trained personnel, by studying important theological and social questions for the benefit of the Church, by developing an African theology, by promoting the work of inculturation especially in liturgical celebration, by publishing books and publicizing Catholic truth…" (John-Paul II, The Church in Africa, N. 103).

The reader will notice that the present issue of Africa Tomorrow is closely connected with the inculturation context. However it is obvious that any attempt at inculturation presupposes some conditions. Firstly a good and an accurate self-knowledge is needed. That is the path along which Professor Cekiera tries to take us. Secondly a precise and exact knowledge of one's culture and philosophy is more than indispensable. That is what Mr. Badibanga and Fr. Pendawazima have attempted to do: the former suggests a vision of Philosophy of Art in Africa in order to contribute to the promotion of some positive African cultural values, and the latter clarifies the concept of the African family, echoing the work of the African synod. Thirdly any work of inculturation needs a critical reconsideration of some customary ways of thinking and understanding modernity. In that way Mr. Kreilkamp attempts to update the discussion about a probable incompatibility between African Philosophy and Western Philosophy. In the same line Fr. Buthoke, Fr. D'Souza and Fr. Ishengoma take stock of the question related to the challenge of inculturation, while Fr. Kowalski suggests a reflection, with new materials, upon the tendency of modernising the forms of evangelisation.

Let us hope that these few reflections, be they psychological, sociological, philosophical or theological, will open a constructive and nourishing debate, which constitutes certainly a step towards the knowledge of the Absolute truth, towards the One who is the Truth: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." (Jn. 14:6).

It is a duty for us to express our gratitude to Reverend Father W. Kowalski (SDS) for all he has done so that this periodical, rooted in the school magazine Sauti Ya Mwokozi, can attain its definitive form.

The Editor