Scrutinise the Scriptures: The New Bible in Arabic
2024-11-28 15:19:21
On 26 November 1971, Blessed James Alberione, father of the great Pauline family, ended his earthly adventure. Inspired by St. Paul, Blessed Alberione also wanted to found the International Catholic Bible Society: the SOBICAIN.
On 26 November 2024, Sobicain and the Society of St Paul presented the Arabic edition of the Scrutatio Scriptura Bible in Rome. A great work, the result of the work of great biblical scholars and exegetes, in love with the word of God and the ‘Scrutatio’, which in today's Church it is the charism of the Neocatechumenal Way to promote.
At the press conference, the project directors, Father Jean Azzam, from Beirut, and Father Francesco Voltaggio, from Jerusalem, presented the technical aspects and pastoral purpose of this exceptional work. Afterwards, the Eucharist took place, presided over by the Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
HB Card PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA
Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins
There are not many commentary Bibles in Arabic that help to deepen the understanding of God's word. This is a context in which this war has also unleashed a language of lacerating hatred. Here the word of God has helped us to open horizons, to use language that builds and not language that destroys. So the word of God is the only tool we have to bring something new and different to the Middle East.
From North Africa to the Middle East, from the Arabic-speaking communities of Europe and America to the Persian Gulf countries. This Bible will reach all corners of the world to enable everyone to read the Bible personally, spiritually and concretely.
Fr FRANCESCO GIOSUÈ VOLTAGGIO
Biblical scholar and co-director of the work
It is a Bible that is designed for the faithful, for Lectio Divina, that is, to scrutinise the sacred scriptures in greater depth. And the main challenge is that precisely at this time of conflict, of upheaval for the Middle East and the Holy Land, we can make our humble contribution. So that Christians can truly be bridges of reconciliation, of peace and witnesses. And also to have a prophetic key to the events of history that are afflicting them, and to have support, to be nourished ever more deeply by the word of God that is ever more central.
In Christ, human barriers are cancelled. On the night the New Bible is presented, a truce is signed between Hezbollah and Israel. Hope and prophecy, like the work on this text that has brought together scholars belonging to different rites, valuing Jewish and patristic sources together with the theology of the Eastern churches, the ancient soul but also the future of Arab Christianity.
HE Mgr YOUSSEF MATTA
Catholic Archbishop of the Greek Melkite Church of Haifa
The translation of the Bible into Arabic, gives us a tool for dialogue with other religions in the Holy Land. We try to find words that can be common to all, to experience peace.
HE Mgr YOUHANNA RAFIC WARCHA
Prosecutor of the Maronite Patriarch to the Holy See
Especially in this phase of history that we live, in the East, the suffering, the war, we need the good news, the peace of Emmanuel, Jesus, who is with us. And I consider this fundamental event, this work of the Bible, to give peace to the world. We need Jesus, the Word. He is the Word, all the words that are spoken are not authentic, the essential Word is Jesus Christ.
MAISA HADDAD
First Neocatechumenal Community of Ibilin (Galilee)
Before we started the Way, we didn't even open the Bible, because the Bible was, for me in particular, very strange. I never even knew how to read it. I learnt to read the Arabic Bible in the community with which I live this faith journey, so being part of this event today, for me, has an extraordinary value.
Communion between churches is a prophecy of peace that requires Christian initiation. Where one learns to live the relationship with the Bible as a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God the Father.
See also
The new Mosaics on Mount Nebo: Elijah symbol of peace and unity!
On 9 November on Mount Nebo, new mosaics were unveiled in the chapel dedicated to the prophet Elijah.