ZAP
The new translation should be presented next Easter, in a “very enriching” process that began 13 years ago.
A Bible there will be a new translation for use by the Catholic Church in Portugal.
Bishops, members of the Portuguese biblical association and directors of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy and Spirituality and the Episcopal Commission for Christian Education and Doctrine of the Faith. With the help of bible scholars from Portuguese-speaking countries. All together.
The project started more than a decade ago. The desire was announced by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference in 2012; should be completed soon.
The coordinator is Father Mário de Sousa, who said that in the next Easter The work of these years must be presented. Graphical and technical harmonization issues remain to be completed.
Since August 2021 it is published monthly an online bookon the 1st of each month, so that the public speaks out and improve understanding of the text. “This set a rhythm and helped us all, it also set a rhythm in our work”, comments Mário de Sousa.
O New Testament is ready and available for consideration and evaluation by readers – who have contributed to practically all 73 books of the Bible.
It is a demanding process: “The work has been a bit slower because we considered it important that it was a synodal work, of the Church and for the Church, and therefore it cannot be worked only by a few”.
“A Word it has to be understandable. If the translation does not help, if it is not understandable, it is necessary to give a retouching so that, maintaining original fidelity, God can speak to his people, or to people of good will, through that Word”, continues the priest coordinating the project.
Mário de Sousa feels that this process is “very enriching for translators, reviewers and coordination committee. Bringing the text closer to the original always allows you to find new meanings in that word, in the deep meaning of that phrase”, he explains.
