Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The 40th National Biblical Week, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the Italian Biblical Association (ABI), which began in 1948, will be held September 8-12 in Rome, at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. The theme for the week is: “The Exegetical Process and Hermeneutics of the Believer: an intrinsic polarity of the Bible.” Commenting on the theme, Monsignor Ermenegildo Manicardi, Coordinator of National Bible Week 2008 and Member of the President’s Council for the ABI, points out that it is “a very ambitious topic.” He explains that “the intricate development of Biblical science can lead to a distancing of the professional scholars from the rest of the people. Those who are not accustomed to this form of study can grow tired of listening to technical matters without understanding their relevance. Thus, a sort of ‘death of specialization’ and instead of speaking about the Bible and living it out, Bible scholars would end up suffocating it. Scholars should be reminded of the fact that in maintaining a studious severity in an absolute manner, they should be careful not to lose sight of the community of believers and dialoguing with people. The Week also hopes to show that in restricting Biblical activity to exegesis alone would not lead to the authentic dialogue that the Living God wishes to take up with modern man. It is a difficult task for exegetes. However, I think that it should be an intent to say something more than what is already being said on a daily basis. This is the path we are on, showing our openness to the Synod.”
In reference to the ABI’s 60th anniversary, Monsignor Manicardi remembered that “the initial objectives of the Association since 1948 were two. It focused mainly on offering support to the many professors of Bible studies in the Italian Diocesan Seminaries with small course series, as not all had a background in well-applied Biblical studies. In organizing Biblical Weeks for the professors, the ABI was able to place university professors in contact with other teachers through an exchange of news and updates on new observations. Following the Council, the dioceses tried to maintain Bible specialists. There were even members of the laity that were able to fill this position. Now, the level has truly reached one of excellence, on an international level. The other objective concerned the promoting of the Bible. The Bible was not very well known and this, Weeks were organized in which the professors offered formation courses for non-experts in exegesis. Within the association there were three sections: priests, religious men, and religious women. There are no longer those distinctions and we prefer to offer one class to all of them. The association has created a group of associates of those persons who do Biblical Apostolate, i.e. promoting a faith-filled knowledge of the Bible, as the Word of God, that through the inspired text speaks to modern man today.”
Today there are nearly 750 “Ordinary Associates,” some of whom are Bishops. Every year, about 15-20 new associates join the ABI. The other associates number about 150 and work in Biblical Pastoral Ministry. Every year, all over Italy, the ABI organizes courses on the Bible. They also offer various publications with scientific and educational articles.
There are positive signs in terms of the reading of the Bible in Italy. In fact, Monsignor Manicardi says that “there is a growing interest in Biblical encounters. For many people, personal prayer and small communities have begun leading them towards an authentic encounter with the Word in Scripture. There has been a widespread promotion of various forms of the “Lectio divina.” Just the fact that the people often critique the homily at Mass for its little relation to the readings, is proof of a greater awareness. This obviously implies a better preparation on the part of the clergy in this regards.”
On formation, Msgr. Manicardi said that “Biblical formation of believers is an important objective, especially since the liturgy in Italian began offering a large array of texts from the Gospel and the Bible. Such a possibility also implies that they are going to find difficult texts that are not easily understood. If the liturgy is to offer nourishment for the heart and mind, without losing the sense of mystery and adoration, a greater knowledge of the Bible is needed.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 4/9/2008)
