The 'African Theology' Question

John Paul, who has been critical of liberation theology - a teaching that emphasizes Christian political action for the poor and is seen by its Catholic critics as using Marxist categories -raised some of the same points about what has come to be called ''African theology.'' He warned against the possibility of ''great confusions in ideas, sectarianism, at times with a cult message and a syncretistic mysticism incompatible with the church.''

But John Paul, who apparently sees the future of Catholicism as lying in the third world, seemed to express greater openness to the efforts of African intellectuals to give Christian traditions an African cast. He urged the intellectuals to guard their ''cultural patrimony'' and ''forge the consciousness of a national identity.''

Repeating his support for a church that is ''fully Christian and fully African,'' the Pope said, ''It is a difficult debate, and I hope that you will continue to advance in this direction with objectivity, wisdom and profundity.''

''I understand the cry of Africans for an authentic liberation,'' he said at another point, ''far from all racism and all that leads to political, economic or cultural exploitation.''

Educational Differences Cited

In his address on education in Douala, the Pope spoke of a problem that is particularly acute in Africa: that of the alienation between well-educated children and their less-educated parents.

''Children acquire in school a learning that their parents do not know,'' the Pope said, ''and are perhaps less sensitive to their wisdom, less attentive to their counsel. Dialogue becomes more difficult for many.'' The Pope said well-educated children could also become the prey of ''many ideas whose value they cannot discern well'' and need the guidance of parents.

''I understand that your responsibility is difficult to exercise,'' he said. ''I beg you: do not abdicate it.''

The mass at Douala was marked by the appearance of Bishop Albert Ndongmo of Nkongsamba, who fled the country after he was sentenced to be shot in 1971 after having been convicted of complicity in a coup attempt against former President Ahmadou Ahidjo. The sentence was later commuted to life in prison.