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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
New Community Bible in India with references to scriptures from other Indian religions	Joseph	Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Question: Hi - The Archdiocese of Mumbai (in India) has recently released a Catholic Bible called the New Community Bible dedicated to the Church in India. The Bible contains contextualized commentary of the Sacred Text taking into account the rich cultural heritage of India. Accordingly it contains references and parallels to other Indian Scriptures (mostly Baghvad Gita). The Bible is being released as part of the Church attempt at inculturation. This is quite disturbing to many staunch catholics. I havent read the Bible yet but wanted to know your thoughts on these. Have there been other similar instances elsewhere? How is the Church supposed to react to this especially when the release of this new age bible was presided over by the Archbishop of Mumbai (in India) via the St. Paul's Publication Vehicle? The website is http://stpaulsncb.com/index.html Joseph
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Joseph: Sorry for the delay in responding. I have been out of town. Well, from glancing at the website you provided there is no change to the Bible itself, rather this edition included a commentary. The first measure is to ensure that the text of the Bible is not messed with and is an Vatican-approved translation. As for the commentary, it needs to be approved by the Bishop, which this commentary has. As for the reference to the Indian traditions, from what I can see it is an attempt to show Biblical truths in different traditions. The website states: ...commentary makes references to the Biblical values found in other religions of India while enumerating the pastoral implications of the Biblical Text Biblical value are found in other religion. The Catholic Church recognizes truth wherever it is found. Some elements of truth (big or small) can usually be found in any religion. The value of making mention of these "connections" in the commentary of this Bible edition is its evangelistic potential. Hindus and other non-Christian people in India can read this commentary and see how certain values of their own traditions can also be found in the Bible. This can lead them to investigate the Catholic Church even more. This can lead to conversion. My own conversion to the Catholic Church was like this. I saw similarities between teachings of the Catholic Church and my own faith tradition (which was Baptist). Examining the similarities and differences between Catholicism and my own tradition lead me to convert to the Church. I presume this is the motivation. If there are any doubts I would write directly to Cardinal Gracias and ask, but I am pretty sure what I outlined is the intent and motivation behind this. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

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Posted By

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New Community Bible in India with references to scriptures from other Indian religions

Joseph

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Question:

Hi - The Archdiocese of Mumbai (in India) has recently released a Catholic Bible called the New Community Bible dedicated to the Church in India. The Bible contains contextualized commentary of the Sacred Text taking into account the rich cultural heritage of India. Accordingly it contains references and parallels to other Indian Scriptures (mostly Baghvad Gita). The Bible is being released as part of the Church attempt at inculturation. This is quite disturbing to many staunch catholics.

I havent read the Bible yet but wanted to know your thoughts on these. Have there been other similar instances elsewhere? How is the Church supposed to react to this especially when the release of this new age bible was presided over by the Archbishop of Mumbai (in India) via the St. Paul's Publication Vehicle?

The website is http://stpaulsncb.com/index.html

Joseph

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Joseph:

Sorry for the delay in responding. I have been out of town.

Well, from glancing at the website you provided there is no change to the Bible itself, rather this edition included a commentary. The first measure is to ensure that the text of the Bible is not messed with and is an Vatican-approved translation.

As for the commentary, it needs to be approved by the Bishop, which this commentary has.

As for the reference to the Indian traditions, from what I can see it is an attempt to show Biblical truths in different traditions. The website states:

...commentary makes references to the Biblical values found in other religions of India while enumerating the pastoral implications of the Biblical Text

Biblical value are found in other religion. The Catholic Church recognizes truth wherever it is found. Some elements of truth (big or small) can usually be found in any religion.

The value of making mention of these "connections" in the commentary of this Bible edition is its evangelistic potential.

Hindus and other non-Christian people in India can read this commentary and see how certain values of their own traditions can also be found in the Bible. This can lead them to investigate the Catholic Church even more. This can lead to conversion.

My own conversion to the Catholic Church was like this. I saw similarities between teachings of the Catholic Church and my own faith tradition (which was Baptist). Examining the similarities and differences between Catholicism and my own tradition lead me to convert to the Church.

I presume this is the motivation. If there are any doubts I would write directly to Cardinal Gracias and ask, but I am pretty sure what I outlined is the intent and motivation behind this.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum