What Bishops Say
The publication of The New Community Bible, comes as a boon to the Church in India. I am sure this Bible “made in India and for India”, will bring the Word of God closer to millions of our people – not only Christians. This new Bible, in simple yet lucid language, is particularly commendable for its exhaustive commentary that accompanies the text all through. I am doubly happy that this laudable work of ST PAULS sees the light of the day when the universal Church celebrates the Pauline Year.
The clear and primary mission of the Church is to transmit, in keeping with Jesus’ mandate (cf. Mt 28:18-20), God’s message of hope and salvation to all of humanity in every age and in every place. The New Community Bible intended for India is an effort towards the realization of the above mentioned mandate. It is the fruit of an enthusiastic project undertaken by the Society of St Paul. They brought together a competent team of Indian
+Oswald Cardinal Gracias (Archbishop of Bombay)
The uniqueness of The New Community Bible is its simple and comprehensive commentary that often takes into account the teachings of other Indian Scriptures; a very valuable contribution to Inter-religious dialogue and to Indian theology.
Most Rev Dr Thomas Dabre (Chairman, CBCI Doctrinal Commission)
Bible scholars who undertook the responsible task of completely re-writing the Introduction and the Commentary of each book of the Bible based on sound exegesis and relevant pastoral application. In Addition, care was taken to include in the Commentary accompanying the text not only notes that explained and applied the text, but also notes that drew upon the rich cultural and religious heritage of our motherland. A unique feature of the New Community Bible for India consists in its many references to the deep spiritual message and biblical values found in the Scriptures of other great Indian religions.
The special literary and artistic features of the New Community Bible, as have been listed and explained in the Presentation, are indeed most helpful and aesthetically appealing to devotional readers.
This re-worked New Community Bible could be a most significant contribution in our efforts to foster the use of the Bible in daily prayer, in Bible Study groups, in Small Christian Communities. All who wish to know and make use of Scripture in seeking God through prayer and contemplation, study and practice of a deeper faith and worship, including persons of other faiths, will hopefully find in this Bible the inspiration, enlightenment, consolation and challenge they need to live good and happy lives in the vein of the ‘abundant life’ Jesus came to offer all humanity (cf. Jn 10:10).
May God abundantly bless the hard work, the whole-hearted, inspiring, competent and enlightening contribution of all those who were part of this noble project to bring the Word of God to the millions of believers. May the Holy Spirit inspire all who read and listen attentively to the Bible’s saving message and put it into practice honestly and faithfully. May God guide and assist us all as we grow to experience evermore deeply the hope and joy of all who seek the Lord and strive to do his will to God’s greater glory.
The special literary and artistic features of the New Community Bible, as have been listed and explained in the Presentation, are indeed most helpful and aesthetically appealing to devotional readers.
This re-worked New Community Bible could be a most significant contribution in our efforts to foster the use of the Bible in daily prayer, in Bible Study groups, in Small Christian Communities. All who wish to know and make use of Scripture in seeking God through prayer and contemplation, study and practice of a deeper faith and worship, including persons of other faiths, will hopefully find in this Bible the inspiration, enlightenment, consolation and challenge they need to live good and happy lives in the vein of the ‘abundant life’ Jesus came to offer all humanity (cf. Jn 10:10).
May God abundantly bless the hard work, the whole-hearted, inspiring, competent and enlightening contribution of all those who were part of this noble project to bring the Word of God to the millions of believers. May the Holy Spirit inspire all who read and listen attentively to the Bible’s saving message and put it into practice honestly and faithfully. May God guide and assist us all as we grow to experience evermore deeply the hope and joy of all who seek the Lord and strive to do his will to God’s greater glory.
Most Rev Dr M. Soosa Pakiam (Chairman, Biblical Commission)
