Interrelation between the Catholic faith and culture in the mission of evangelisation: the case of mixed practice and defections in Burkina Faso

This study examines the interrelation between Catholic faith and Burkinabè culture through the phenomenon of “mixed practice,” defined as the blending of Christian rituals with traditional religious customs. Drawing on a survey of 307 participants divided into three groups—those engaged in mixed practice, those who abandoned Catholic faith, and Catholics considered exemplary—the research highlights the tensions between inculturation, syncretism, and defection. A combined quantitative and qualitative methodology reveals three major tendencies: an emphasis on cultural values, an emphasis on Catholic faith, and a unifying perspective that seeks integration of both. Building on these findings, the article proposes a model of integrative transcultural communication, rooted in the concept of transculturality. This model emphasizes mutual respect between local culture and Catholic faith, while identifying obstacles such as inadequate translation, faith transplantation, and hostility toward traditional religion. The proposed approach suggests that authentic evangelization in Burkina Faso requires acknowledging community solidarity, non-aggression toward other religions, and the universal principle of cultural purification through the Gospel. Ultimately, the study argues that transcultural integration enables faith and culture to enrich one another, fostering deeper rootedness of Catholicism and reducing risks of syncretism or abandonment.