The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) have endorsed the new Holy Bible Contemporary English Version (CEV) Catholic Edition with Encyclopedia.
Written by leading Catholic academics and educators from the Australian Catholic University, The University of Notre Dame Australia, as well from Yarra Theological Union and Catholic Education offices around the country, this Encyclopedia Bible reflects the most current Catholic scholarship on the interpretation of Scripture and the priorities of the Catholic school religious education curriculum.
The Encyclopedia is written specifically for Catholic students in years five to nine, with an average reading age of 12 years.
ACBC President, Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, congratulated translators and editors for perfectly capturing the beauty and dignity of Scripture but in ways that are accessible and clear.
“In the end, it is the face of Jesus Christ crucified and risen that emerges from the pages of Scripture; it is his voice that sounds in its words,” Archbishop Coleridge said.
“My hope is that this Holy Bible CEV Catholic Edition with Encyclopedia will help many people, but especially the young, to see His face more clearly and hear His voice more deeply. In a time of many dark silences, there is nothing more important if we want to know the hope beyond all hopelessness.
“May the Holy Bible CEV Catholic Edition with Encyclopedia journey far and wide, not only to every corner of the earth, but into every corner of the human heart,” he added.
Consulting Editor, John McGrath, said he is confident that the new Catholic Encyclopedia Bible will engage students with “sacred Scripture and support religious education curricula in schools across Australia.”
“The reading level for this encyclopedia Bible makes it accessible to other low-literacy groups including those for whom English is not their primary language,” Mr McGrath cited.
“The Contemporary English Version (CEV), currently the official translation used in all Australian Catholic masses for Children, has been selected as the best version for the Encyclopedia and this selection has been endorsed by ACBC.
“Above all, the Encyclopedia Bible seeks to ignite students with a passion to understand and engage with God’s Word.”
The Encyclopedia includes an overview of the Catholic approach to Scripture, descriptions, and commentary on each book of the Bible and covers Scriptural connections to the Sacraments, Pope Francis’ Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ and Lectio Divina including samples.