Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dar es-Salaam (Agenzia Fides) – Over 230 specialists in Biblical pastoral activity from nearly 80 countries met from June 24 to July 3, for the 7th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation. For the first time in its nearly 40 years of history, the meeting took place in Africa, in Tanzania’s capital city of Dar es-Salaam. The theme of the Plenary Assembly was “Word of God - Source of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace,” with the Biblical motto: “We are ambassadors for Christ” (cf 2 Cor 5:19-20). The theme was an effort to take into account the concrete situation in Africa, without ignoring the challenges present in the Church’s pastoral ministry throughout the world. Openness to forgiveness, desires for justice and peace are priorities of Christianity as a whole, not only in Africa. It has also been an effort to create a link with the Second Synod of Bishops of Africa, which will be celebrated in 2009 and will have as its theme: “The Church in Africa at the service of reconciliation, justice, and peace.”
At the close of the Assembly, the new Executive Committee was elected. They will remain in office until the next Plenary Assembly scheduled for 2014. This Committee is formed by the following institutions and their respective representatives: Assemblée des Patriarches et Évêques catholiques au Liban (Fr. Paul Féghaly), Catholic Biblical Foundation of South Africa (Teresa Wilsnagh), and the Filipino Bishops’ Conference (Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD of Sorsogon). The other members are: the “Centro Bíblico Verbo Divino” of Ecuador (Fr. Laurentino Fernández, SVD), the Latin American Bishops’ Conference (CELAM) (Fr. Fidel Oñoro, cjm), and the Tanzanian Bishops Conference ( Bishop Telesphor Mkude of Morogoro).
The three “ex-officio” members of the Executive Committee are: Bishop Vincenzo Paglia (President of the Catholic Biblical Federation and Bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia, Msgr. Bernhard Krautter of the Administrative Council of the Catholic Biblical Federation, and Msgr. Juan Usma Gomez of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
The priorities for the Catholic Biblical Federation for the next six years are the promotion of the inspiration of the Bible in all areas of pastoral ministry and a renewed and intensified Biblical formation for all members of the Church. Other priorities include: the promotion of the Lectio divina and prayerful reading of Scripture; promotion of small Christian communities through the reading of the Bible; and the use of electronics and digital technology in spreading Scripture reading. Greater efforts will also be made in ecumenical, interreligious, and intercultural dialogue, including with those of no professed belief, aiming towards reconciliation, justice, and peace. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 7/7/2008)
