Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Agenzia Fides) - Once again in 2006 the Peruvian Bible Society distributed a record number of 273.021 Bibles even more than the high number of 253.916 copies given out in 2005.
The Bible is the world’s the most read and translated book and the aim of the United Bible Society is to make sure everyone as a copy.
Last year there was a considerable increase in the number of Bibles distributed in America. The Peruvian Bible Society aims to bring the Bible to people in the most remote areas including marginal groups taking into account the differences in culture, language and geographical position.
For example 9,000 Quechua-Cusco Bibles were distributed in southern rural areas. Initiatives include free distribution in areas without electricity of a new solar energy powered audio appliance called El Proclamador containing the entire New Testament.
In recent years 100,000 copies have been distributed thanks mainly to Dutch missionary Jan Van Dooijeweert, who is 67 and visits forest communities in Peru’s Amazon region distributing and explaining the Bible. The first thing Jan noticed when he began to work as a missionary in Peru was the extreme poverty and that most Peruvians had never seen a Bible. He set out to make sure even the poorest people could have their own copy of the Holy Book.
Every year Peru celebrates September as the Month of the Bible and special initiatives include Bible Plays. Last September these plays were watched by at least 3,000 people. (AP) (16/1/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:27; Parole:304)
