Topic: Translations of the Bible for Catholic use

Date originally posted: April 17, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: P. Leach

Question: Tell whether each of these English translations of the Bible is accepted by Catholics or Protestants or both.-King James-New Jerusalem-Good News-The Way-Revised Standard-New American and which English translations of the Bible is used in official Catholic liturgies? And name three national Catholic newspapers or magazines. Thank you very much, Paul Holleran

Answer: 

The Church certainly encourages us as Catholics to become more and more familiar with the Sacred Scripture.  As Saint Jerome said many years ago, "Ignorance of the Scripture is ignorance of Christ."  So, we need to continue learning more about the Bible.

 The King James version of the Bible is generally respected for the beauty of its language, but it is not one of the officially sanctioned Bibles which Catholics are encouraged to use.

 The Revised New Jerusalem Bible was done by mostly Catholic scholars and is certainly one which Catholics can use with great confidence.

 The Good News Bible has been released in a "Catholic version" which includes the Deutero-Canonical books and portions of books which we Catholics recognize as inspired by God.  However, the Good News Bible, even in it "Catholic form," is less a translation, I believe, and more of a para-phrase.  For that reason, most Catholic scholars with whom I have talked do not encourage using the Good News Bible.

 I am fairly certain that "The Way" is not a version of the Bible that Catholics are encouraged to use.

 The New Revised Standard Version is an ecumenically translated Bible.  Using it for study and prayer is acceptable for Catholics although the NRSV is not technically a "Catholic Bible."  However, Catholic scholars endorse its translations as accurate representations of the Hebrew and Greek which are generally in accord with the mind of the Church.

 The Revised New American Bible is an official translation of the Scriptures done by Catholic scholars with ecclesiastical approval.  It is the version of the Bible which I recommend to students. 

The Revised New American Bible is, to my knowledge, the English translation of the Bible used in official Catholic liturgies.   

(And by the way, if a celebration is a "Liturgy" it is, by definition, "official."  While Catholics can, surely, come together to pray and sing and praise and reflect and be challenged in non-official ways, these non-official gatherings are not, technically speaking, "Liturgy."  A Liturgy is the official prayer of the Church.) 

And three national Catholic newspapers or magazines...well, actually, there are many of these.  Among the best, I think are "Origins, "America," and "Commonweal."  

Others exist, of course, including "First Things," "National Catholic Reporter," "Catholic Digest," "Saint Anthony's Messenger."  I don't endorse any of these particularly though as long as one recognizes the particular point-of-view that may inform the editorial position of the publication each can be useful.   

We even have some on-line publications that are largely devoted to Catholic kinds of issues; for example "The Social Edge" is such a publication which you can find at http://www.thesocialedge.com.

I think there is plenty of great stuff to read particularly in "Origins."  Just keeping up with this marvelous resource of official and semi-official teaching from the Pope, American Bishops, thinkers, and theologians keeps me more than busy. 

Thanks you for your multi-part question! 

Blessings,

Father Phillip