Cultural Christianity, Italian Mentality

Alessandra Bocchi argues that there are two different mentalities for what passes as “cultural Christianity” in the West.

Catholicism is a unified religion. But its religious unity is one which touches a vast array of cultural differences over history, and so we can see the unity of Catholicism precisely through significant differences across the world.

As a native born-and-raised in Italy, yet embedded in Anglo-Saxon culture throughout my graduate and post-graduate studies in London, I’ve witnessed a particular set of differences. In my professional work as a journalist, I’ve witnessed clashes between Italian, American and British cultures which were not always easy to communicate. Having dual Italian and American citizenship (my mother was raised in U.S.) I’m often thrust between these western worlds, translating the “Anglo-Saxon” mentality to the “Continental,” and vice versa. It’s given me a chance to reflect upon these differences, and what they mean for the future of Western civilization.