"Les écoles Catholiques? C'est une bonne chose. . . . Beaucoup de cadres de ce pays sont passés par la. . . . Nous voulons aussi que l'école des vodunsi connaisse le jour." We hear a dignitary of Vodou confirm the force of Catholicism in Bénin. Other voices also define the contours of Catholicism; some seeing it as open to otherness and inculturated practice, and some see its limitations. "Positive Vodou" (intuition of Mawu) is compatible with Catholicism, but not the "system Vodou." Intellectual voices, aware of extended family and illnesses chief role in upholding the traditional, debate the value of inculturation.

This work addresses the relationship between the Catholic imagination, acceptance of the other, and -- using the case of Haitian- and African-Americans -- suggests the concept is a useful tool for the study of diasporic cultures.