Regions

In grateful memory of the SVD Congo missionary Fr. Anton Gessler, SVD (April 22, 1938 Friedrichshafen - 15.1.2023 Sankt Augustin)

From the 9th to the 13th of December 2022, it was once again a time for pomp and fun-fare for the Arnoldus Junior Youth, as they gathered for the Bible Camp.

The delegates of the member institutions of the Catholic Biblical Federation from the Latin America and Caribbean Region have met in an online meeting via Zoom on November 26, 2022.

Aid to the Church in Need spoke to Father Emmanuel Asi, executive director of the Catholic Bible Commission of Pakistan since it was founded in 2002, about the situation of Christians in his country, and his apostolate in Pakistan.

The 2nd International Biblical Symposium on the theme "Animação bíblica da inteira pastoral", organised by the Episcopal Commission for Biblical Pastoral Ministry of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST), which took place from 16 to 18 September in Luanda, came to an end.

The extended meeting of the South East Asia Sub-Regional Committee of the Catholic Biblical Federation took place online on 5 September 2022.

La Bible Ecclésiale - the African edition of the Bible Official Liturgical Translation (BTOL) is finally completed.

Father Jackson Câmara Silva, INJ was appointed as the new Zonal Coordinator of the CBF Southern Cone Zone. Father Jackson succeeds Mr. Jaime Michea who served as zonal coordinator for the past two years.

The Executive Committee of the Catholic Biblical Federation in its ordinary meeting on 26 August 2022 via ZOOM has considered the proposal of the Regional Committee of Latin America and the Caribbean presented through the Secretary General of the Federation and has appointed Magister Gerardo García Helder as the new Regional Coordinator of the Latin America and the Caribbean Region for the next triennium 2022-2025.

Jhon Fredy Mayor Tamayo has been appointed as the new Zonal Coordinator of the Andean Zone of the CBF. Jhon Fredy succeeds Dr. Rebeca Cabrera who served as zonal coordinator for the past 7 years.

Sister María del Socorro Becerra Molina HMSP was appointed as the new Zonal Coordinator of the CBF Central America and Mexico Zone. Sister María del Socorro is the successor of Fr. Eric Joel Obaldía Félix, C.M. who served as the zonal coordinator for the last 3 years.

Fr. Hugh Logan was appointed as the new Zonal Coordinator of the CBF Antilles and Caribbean Zone. He is the successor of Mons. William John-Lewis who served as the zonal coordinator for the last 3 years.

From May 3 to 22 the General Secretary of the CBF, Fr. Jan J. Stefanów SVD, was on a working visit to Papua New Guinea.

Saturday morning, the 7th of May, brought many people to Kefamo on the outskirts of Goroka town to witness the Episcopal Consecration of Bishop-elect Valentine Gryk, SVD.

The new, May edition of ‘The God who Speaks’ – an email newsletter created by the God who Speaks Team at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales in partnership with Bible Society – is already online.

The annual Arnoldus Bible Camp for Missionary Childhood Association in SVD parishes was held from 18th – 21st April 2022 at Ilizwi Biblical Centre, Zimbabwe after a break of two years.

Online Meeting of the Board Meeting of Directors in Thailand which includes their Bible Apostolate took place via Zoon on March 2, 2022. 

On February 14, 2022, the Vatican announced that His Holiness, Pope Francis, has appointed a former CBF Oceania Coordinator, Fr. Walenty Gryk, SVD, as Bishop of the Diocese of Goroka in Papua New Guinea.

On 1 January 1982, the Verbum Bible publishing house was founded with the project of publishing the Bible in Lingala, one of the most widely spoken languages in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in its capital, Kinshasa, and in the north-west of the country. In 2022, it celebrates 40 years of existence and service, with several Bibles published in French, English and several local African and especially Congolese languages.

Responding to the invitation to participate in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the foundation of Verbum Bible, the General Secretary of the Catholic Biblical Federation held a working visit in the DR Congo.

The Bible Animators in the Philippines came together via Zoom Platform last January 23 to celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God. His Excellency Most Rev. Renato Mayugba, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) presided the Holy Mass together with some Biblical Apostolate Directors and Bible Animators nationwide. 

A three-day CBF South-East Asia convention started today, Wednesday 5 January. The event is being held in online mode.

The edition 19 of ‘The God who Speaks’ newsletter is already online.

The Asian Catholic Church mourns the death of Father Jacob Theckanath, a 79-year-old Indian priest, who played a significant role in evangelization. Father Jacob Theckanath, former CBF South Asia Regional Coordinator (1990-2002) and former executive secretary of Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) Office of Evangelization (OE), died on November 28.

On the way towards the CBF Plenary Assembly we've presented the reality and future perspectives of the North America Region in the interventions of some representatives of the institutions that compose it.

NBCLC, Bangalore conducted a “Four Week Course on the Bible” at their campus in Bangalore, from 30th August to 25th September 2021. The objective of the course was to go deeper into the ‘word of God’ and use it for prayer, meditation and to bear witness to Christian life in society.

The "Centre Catechetique et Biblique" (CCB) organised a short Biblical course for the youths in the  Diocese from 24 - 29 August.

A working meeting of Eastern European Zone of the CBF Central European Subregion took place on July 8 – 10 in the town of Traian in Romania.

The edition 13 of ‘The God who Speaks’ newsletter is already online.

 The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) will hold a Bible Day in 2021.

On the way towards the CBF Plenary Assembly we've presented the reality and future perspectives of the South Asia Subregion in the interventions of some representatives of the institutions that compose it.

On the way towards the CBF Plenary Assembly we've presented the reality and future perspectives of the Middle East Region in the interventions of some representatives of the institutions that compose it.

A new edition of the Bible was published in February by the Grupo Editorial Verbo Divino.

Last year, Catholic Biblical Association of the Archdiocese of Taipei held biblical arts and cultural exhibition competition. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the award ceremony was postponed, and was only held in April 15, 2021. It also marked the end of the celebration of the year of the Word of God.

The feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, also celebrated as the feast of the Incarnation of the Word, is rich in meaning and has multiple dimensions. Surely, it is a Christological feast. However, its meaning and message is inseparably tied with the Virgin Mary, because Mary of Nazareth is its main protagonist. It is, therefore, the feast of the Virgin Mary as a person who played a unique and essential part in God's work of salvation, carried our by Christ.

On the way towards the CBF Plenary Assembly the reality and future perspectives of the Central European Sub-region was presented in the interventions of some representatives of the institutions that compose it.

Online Prayer Meeting of the CBF Southeast Asia Subregion.

New directors of the Biblical Departments of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India CCBI and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India CCBI were appointed in December and February respectively.

A few months before the CBF Plenary Assembly the reality and future perspectives of the Southern and Western European Sub-region were presented in the interventions of some representatives of the institutions that compose it.

The Biblical Federation in the Middle East is deeply saddened by the passing from this earthly existence of one of its members, Fr. Peter Madros; he has now entered the heavenly glory at the age of 71, after a life totally devoted to pastoral and academic work in the service of the Word.

Sub-region of Southern and Western Europe and Central European sub-region the of the Catholic Biblical Federation organised a teleconference on the topic: ""The Prophecy of the Gospel for the Life of All" - Towards the Sunday of the Word of God". 

Sub-region of Southern and Western Europe and Central European sub-region the of the Catholic Biblical Federation organised a teleconference on the topic: ""The Prophecy of the Gospel for the Life of All" - Towards the Sunday of the Word of God". 

The Catholic Biblical Federation is united in prayer with the Church in Togo for the repose of the soul of Fr. Etienne Amouzou who for many years was engaged in the biblical apostolate at the level of the Episcopal Conference of Togo, a member of our Federation.

New, revised edition of the Bible in Mashi language was published by Verbum Bible.

Live streamed conference by Dom Henry Wansbrough organized by The Catholic Biblical Association of Great Britain.

The New Christian Community Bible Catholic Edition App was released online by ST PAULUS in India.

The South-East Asia Subregion of the Catholic Biblical Federation organised a teleconference on the topic: "The Church, the Word of God and the World in a Pandemic Crisis: Coping with the Crisis in the Light of Scriptures and Envisioning a New Normal in the Aftermath". The conference took place on StreamYard platform on October 28, 2020 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM Philippine time and was streamed on Youtube and Facebook and had over 600 followers.

The Episcopal Commission for Biblical Pastoral of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique has organised a National Bible Week (SEBINA) from 20 to 27 September 2020 for all Archdioceses, Dioceses, Parishes, Religious Communities, under the slogan: The Word is near you (Dt 30:14).

The Executive Committee of the Catholic Biblical Federation, in its meeting on July 07, 2020, admitted to the Catholic Biblical Federation 2 new associate members. One of them is Broken Bay Institute - The Australian Institute of Theological Education (Australia).

Looking for new ways to be "far" and at the same time "close" is one of the great challenges in this time of pandemic. In Angola it is no different...but access to the internet is quite limited. Telephone operators favour the use of facebook, becoming this the most used social network.

Logos Bible Quiz for Bible study was started by the Bible Commission of Kerala Catholic Bishops Council in the great Jubilee Year 2000 and it is conducted every year in different parts of India.

The Bible Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council, India consists of three churches belonging to different liturgical traditions, Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Rites. The southern state of Kerala in India is known for its vibrant Christian community whose origin goes back to St. Thomas Apostle who came here, as the tradition says, in AD 52. Along with this great tradition of Christianity here, the religious background of India has contributed to an openness and reverence to Holy Scripture. Since the formation of the Bible Commission of Kerala, it has ventured into many creative and imaginative initiatives to make the Bible part of the life of the faithful.

LEBANON: 2019-2020 were two extremely challenging years for the Lebanese society on several aspects: Economy and Covid-19 Pandemic.

Appostolica is the name of the application presented by the Episcopal Conference of Mexico as a free tool to unite the people of God around the Word of God, the Magisterium of the Church, the liturgy and Prayer; through new technologies.

The Congress “Saint Jerome: life, work and reception. Sixteenth Centenary of his death (420 – 2020)” was held recently in the historical building of the University of Salamanca as part of the activities of the Domingo de Soto Professorship.

Twenty-seven participants of Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF) from four nations (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India) met at the ‘Serene Pastures’ Spirituality Centre, Bolowalana, Colombo, Sri Lanka from 07 to 10 January 2020 for its biennial Convocation. During the four-day meet, they deliberated on the theme: Word of God in the Light of Aperuit Illis.

Bible camp for the youth organised by the ilizwi Biblical Centre in Plumtree, in Zimbabwe took place from 12th to 16 December 2019.

Office bearers of Pontifical Missionary Society (PMS), Pastoral Coordinators and Family apostolate at the national and Diocese levels in Malawi converged at Nantipwiri Pastoral Centre in the Archdiocese of Blantyre to plan for the Year of Bible as announced by the Episcopal Conference of Malawi.

Since 2018, the Pauline Sisters of Angola have undertaken a systematic biblical formation of lay people, with the course “Bible in Community”, a project based on the Biblical Animation Service - SAB / Brazil. The purpose of the course, on three successive levels (Bible Overview, Bible Theology, and the Bible as Literature), is to prepare and qualify people through knowledge and experience of God's Word to become Bible animators in the different pastoral areas and movements.

On November 23, Bishop Hsu Yao Wen of Taichung Diocese, Taiwan solemnly opened the Year of the Word of God with a Eucharistic celebration.

Accepting the proposal of the Sub-Regional Committee of the Southern & Western European Subregion of the Catholic Biblical Federation, the Executive Committee in its ordinary session held on November 08, named Professor Ernesto Borghi Coordinator of the Southern & Western European Subregion.
Professor Borghi succeeds Sr. Marie-Thérèse Perrot in the Coordination of the Subregion, to whom we thank for her commitment and dedication.

After more than half a century of assiduous and corporate work, VERBUM BIBLE now presents the first edition of BIBLIA NDINGA YA NZAMBI. It means BIBLE WORD OF GODin the language called “Kikongo ya leta”, one of the four national languages of D.R. Congo, spoken by more than 5 million people.

Twenty-five years after the release of the document "Interpretation of the Bible in the Church” (1993) Research Seminar on Biblical Interpretation in India took place in Bangalore from 27th to 29th of September 2019.

With over 20 participants from different parts of the world and with the presence of the CBF General Secretary the new edition of the Dei Verbum Course was inaugurated today, 4th of September 2019, in Nemi.

Twenty-five years after the release of the document "Interpretation of the Bible in the Church” (1993) Research Seminar on Biblical Interpretation in India will take place in Bangalore from 27th to 29th of September 2019.

The Catholic Biblical Association of the Philippines (CBAP) held its 20th Annual Convention at Claret School, Quezon City, Philippines on August 31 and September 1, 2019.

The Episcopal Commission of the Biblical Pastoral of Angola and Sao Tome - CEAST held from July 1st to 5th, 2019, in Luanda, the National Biblical Week, with the theme: “Youth and the celebrated faith”.

The CBF-South East Asia held a Biblical-Pastoral Congress in Tagaytay City, Philippines on June 12-16, 2019. This Congress was inspired by the recently held CBF Congress in Rome in April, echoing the same theme. The participants were from Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and the members of the Biblical Apostolate in the Philippines. There were around 110 participants. The event was hosted by CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate.

The Executive Committee of the Biblical Federation at it’s last meeting hold in Rome the days 23 and 26 of April 2019, has appointed as the Subregional Coordinator of the CBF South Asia Subregion Fr. Dr. Antony John Baptist from India, elected during the extraordinary Subregional Meeting of the CBF South Asia Subregion hold in Rome during the CBF International Biblical Congress.

A few decades ago, the most recent revision of the Bible is back. A standard translation for German-speaking countries was last made in the 1970s. Since then, this version has been working until September 20, Autumn Plenary Assembly of German Bishops. Because here was the newly revised Bible presented.

Following a meaningful celebration of the 50th birth anniversary of the first Chinese Catholic Bible (Studium Biblicum version, 1968-2018), over 200 participants gathered at the Eleventh World Chinese Biblical Congress held in late November in Hong Kong commit to continue promotion of reading and living God’s Word to bring forth fruit in all ministries of the Church.

Accepting the proposal of the Regional Committee of the Central European Subregion of the Catholic Biblical Federation, the Executive Committee in its ordinary session held in Rome on November 9-11, named Father Eduard Patrascu Coordinator of the Central European Subregion.
Father Patrascu succeeds Mr. Wolfgang Baur in the Coordination of the Subregion, to whom we thank for his commitment and dedication.

Forty participants join a symposium on Oct. 18, marking the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Studium Biblicum Version — the de facto Chinese Catholic Bible — organized by the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) and the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China (BCCCC) at Beijing Friendship Hotel in the capital.

From Catalonia we have just received the sad news of the death of Javier Velasco Arias - "an enthusiast of the Bible" as he used to present himself.

The annual meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association of Sri Lanka took place in Kandy from September 11 to 13, 2018.

The meeting of the zonal representatives of CBF-SEA took place in Bali, Indonesia, July 3-6, 2018. Participants included Fr. Johannes Subagyo, SDB, the zonal representative for Indonesia and Malaysia, Fr. Joseph Mary Tran, SDB, the zonal representative for Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar, Fr. Arlo Yap, SVD, the zonal representative for the Philippines, along with Dr. Natividad Pagadut, the sub-regional coordinator. Sr. Marianne Gorit, OSB, recording secretary of last year’s meeting in Nha Trang, Vietnam, joined the group and was eventually chosen to be the secretary of the sub-region and to assume responsibility for the website of the CBF-SEA sub-region.

Mons. William John-Lewis was appointed as the new Zonal Coordinator of the CBF Antilles and Caribbean Zone. Mons. William is the successor of María Díaz-James who served as the zonal coordinator for the last 3 years.

Sr. Dr. Wilma Mancuello González MIC was appointed as the new Zonal Coordinator of the CBF Cono Sur Zone. Sister Wilma is the successor of Gerardo García Helder who served as the zonal coordinator for the last 5 years.

Fr. Eric Joel Obaldía Félix, C.M. was appointed as the new Zonal Coordinator of the CBF Central America and Mexico Zone. Fr. Eric is the successor of Fr. Antonino Cepeda Salazar who served as the zonal coordinator for the last 3 years.

The Executive Committee of the Catholic Biblical Federation, in its extraordinary meeting on March 23, 2018 via Skype, has considered the proposal of the Regional Committee of Latin America and the Caribbean, presented through the General Secretary of the Catholic Biblical Federation, and has appointed Father Jesús Antonio Weisensee Hetter as the new CBF Regional Coordinator of the Region of Latin America and the Caribbean for the triennium 2018-2021.

On Sunday, 18 March 2018, the Friends of the Catholic Biblical Federation held its inaugural event at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Rowland Heights, California.

Bishop Célestin-Marie Bawilima Gaoua , bishop of Sokodé, encouraged the youth to use the Lectioyouth.Net program not only to read, but also to hear and live the Word of God in their daily lives.

Beirut-LEBANON: On Monday, January 29, 2018, an agreement was signed by the Holy Spirit University – Kaslik (USEK), Bible Society – Lebanon, and Bishop Joseph Naffah (member of the Catholic Biblical Federation – Lebanon), to research and publish “The Holy Bible and Lebanon.”

Right at the start of the 2018, the 17th Dei Verbum course held in Zimbabwe  at Chishawasha Seminary in Harare.

Greetings from Tanzania.  I hope it all goes well at Sankt Ottilien. Thank you for the good news from your office and Christmas greetings. Thank you very much.

On my part, I have the pleasure to communicate to you three things.

The Executive Committee of the Biblical Federation at it’s last meeting hold in Warsaw the days 10-12 of November 2017, has appointed as the Subregional Coordinator of the CBF South-East Asia Subregion Ms. Dr. Natividad B. Pagadut from Philippines, elected during the last Subregional Meeting of the CBF South-East Asia Subregion hold in Nha Trang, Vietnam the days 17-23 of July 2017. ).

Fr. Albert Ngengi Mundele was appointed Director of BICAM-CEBAM on 23rd June 2017 by SECAM Chairman, His Grace Gabriel Mbilingi, Archbishop of Lubango in Angola.

On March 3rd, at the Luxembourg School of Religion & Society, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, the international scientific colloquium on “Animatio biblica totius actionis pastoralis, Bible – Pastoral – Didactics”, to which scientists from Europe, America, Africa and Asia took part, opened.

The Secretary General of FEBIC, Rev. Jan J. Stefanów, SVD, represented the Catholic Biblical Federation at the Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Episcopal Conferences of Asia ( FABC) to which he was invited as an observer.

The All India Biblical Consultation cum Seminar was organized by the Commission for Bible of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) at St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa with the theme, “Word of God, Source of life in the Family.” 

The delegates of the member institutions of the Catholic Biblical Federation of the European Western and Central subregion came together in Taragona (Catalunya, Spain), from October 13-16 in the annual meeting of the subregion.

The Continental Gathering of Pastoral Biblical Animation(ABP) took place from August 12 through 14 in Quito, Ecuador, with the launching of theGuiding Principles of Pastoral Biblical Animation for Latin America and the Caribbeanand the approval of the “Road Map” for the implementation of ABP throughout the continent for the years 2016-2019.

CBF General Secretary represented the Catholic Biblical Fdederation at the Plenary Assembly of SECAM celebrated in Luanda (Angola) from July 18 to 25, 2016.

On Wednesday June 8, 2016, Bishop Gabriel Malzaire with his clergy, gathered at the Holy Redeemer Retreat House for a three-day ABP Encounter. Some members of the Diocesan ABP Team were also in attendance.  With its theme, “I saw you under the fig tree” (John 1:48), the Encounter was facilitated by the husband and wife team, Deacon Mike James and Maria

The General Secretary of the Catholic Biblical Federation paid a working visit to Harare (Zimbabwe) 3-10 May 2016.

The Executive Committee of the Biblical Federation has reappointed Sister Emmanuel Gunanto.

The Regional Executive Committee (CER) of FEBIC-LAC met in Ciudad de la Alegría,Cancun, Mexico, 7-8 April 2016.

An International Bible Symposium under the theme"The Word of God, Source of Life in the Family"organized by the South Asia Subregion of the Catholic Biblical Federation took place in Bengaluru (India) 1-3 April 2016.

The New Living Translation Catholic Edition was released on March 6, 2016 by His Excellency, Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal during the one day Plenary Assembly held at the Paul VI auditorium, Bengaluru. The members of the CCBI Commission for Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, USA, ATC Publishers, Bengaluru and the twelve scholars were also present for this historical event in the history of the CCBI

Beirut-LEBANON: Despite his tight and overloaded schedule, Card. Tagle insisted on meeting the members of the Lebanese Biblical Federation in the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon- Harissa.

The annual meeting took place11-13 February 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya of the Executive Committee of BICAM which is also the coordinating body of the Africa Region of the Catholic Biblical Federation.

During the weekend 28-30 January 2016, the Scientific Colloquium was held on the theme "Sacramentalité de la Parole" organized by theLuxembourg School of Religion and Society (LSRS).

In January, 2016 the General Secretary of the Catholic Biblical Federation visited Antilles.

The Catholic Church in Kerala(India) is planning to observe December as the ‘Bible Reading Month’ - coinciding with the Christmas fast. It is an initiative of the Bible Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC).

A regional meeting for the Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF) for Southern Cone and Andean countries (FEBIC LAC) took place 1- 4 October 2015 in Sao Paolo (Brazil) for the specific objectives of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of Dei Verbum and planning pastoral strategies for South America under the paradigm of the Biblical animation of the Life and Pastoral Activity of the Church (ABP).

From November 15–21, 2015, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invites families, parishes, schools, and other Catholic groups to participate in a National Bible Week in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum.

Deacon Michael James has been appointed as the new coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Subregion of the Catholic Biblical Federation.

Finally it's here! The first translation of the entire Bible in NCAM language, spoken by the Bassar people.

From Monday 1st until Thursday 4th of December in the Jesuits’ Vinayalaya Retreat House took place the ‘Joy of the Gospel’ Convocation.

Seminar on Biblical Apostolate and New Evangelization of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference (FABC) Office of Evangelization - December 5-7, 2013 at the Redemptorist Center, Pattaya City, Chonburi, Thailand