Complete translation of the Bible into colloquial Japanese

AUGUST 28, 2011. (Romereports.com) In 1950 a group of Franciscans began translating the Bible into colloquial Japanese. Now, after 61 years of work, the academic society Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, located in Tokyo, finished their translation of the Bible.


This is the first version of the Bible to be translated from a Japanese original instead of the Latin version.

The Cardinal of Tokyo gave the volume to the prefect of the Vatican Library, Cardinal Raffaele Farina.

This translation was also made possible by the collaboration of the Japan Bible Society.

After some discussions, it was decided on the theme “The Covenant” for next Bible Sunday and Msgr Eugene would do the write-up of the article. The article would be presented for review at the next meeting.

Bible Sunday Highlights

Bible Sunday 2011 Highlights

Mr. Richard Wong of Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese reported that Archbishop John Wong would send the survey to the parishes. Due to time factor, the survey could not be done on Bible Sunday. It would be done in the later date.

Msgr William Sabang of Kuching Archdiocese reported that Bible Sunday message and the survey were sent to the parishes. He got some feedbacks. Cathedral successfully organized a Bible Exhibition on Bible Sunday with Bible quiz and questions for adult and children, Bible sale and display of Bible commentaries and different types of Bible. The responses were very good.

Mr. Fredoline Umis informed the meeting that Keningau diocese has standardized its programmes for Bible Sunday that is, a three days (Triduum) seminar for the people: first day – on Bible Sunday Message and the Exhortation, second day on Lectio Divina and Holy Hour, and third day on the relation between Eucharist and Bible. He has distributed the survey two weeks earlier before the Bible Sunday and has yet to collect all the returns.

Fr. Ambrose Vaz from Singapore Archdiocese reported that the different parishes had their own activities on Bible Sunday. From the feedback on the article of Bible Sunday, he said that the people found it easy to understand but challenging when they reflected on the questions.

Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei Vicariate reported that Bible quiz and plays were organized for the children. For the adults, a 5 weeks course on Eucharist called a Walk through the Bible video course  was organized. In one parish, the writing out the New Testament on paper (and bound into a book) was also organized and the completed work was displayed. The Bible survey for youth has yet to be carried out.

Fr. Gerard Theraviam of Kuala Lumpur Archdiocses mentioned that the Herald newspaper form Kuala Lumpur published the Bible Sunday Article in 4 languages. There was a feeling of fatigue in many parishes with regards to the nature of activities on Bible Sunday. He opined that it would be easier to work with those involved with youth than with the priests. In Penang Diocese, a parish was still in the midst of writing the whole Bible.

Fr. Alphonsus Tang of Sibu Diocses reported that with the Diocesan Bible committee, a Bible Exhibition entitled “to know Jesus, the Crucified Christ” was set up for the weekend of Bible Sunday at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Bible Sunday article and survey were sent to different parishes via e-mail with the help of Fr. Paul Ling. He commented that at the just concluded on-going formation of St Peter's College graduates in Kuching, Mr. Benedict Lo gave his input on Youth and the Bible made an interesting suggestion on repackaging of the Bible: the same content with different but appealing outlooks.

Around the Dioceses - 2011

A summary of what;s happening in the Dioceses of the CBCMSB as of August 2011:

Reports of Dioceses

1 Diocese of Sibu: Bishop Joseph Hii has been promoting Bible reading based on Time Line concept over a period of 12 months. The people responded well and some commented that it helped them to understand the readings at Mass better. Fr. Michael Lee and Fr. Philip Hu were still having Matthew in their parishes. Fr. Alphonsus has yet to decide on the third round of BCL.

2 Archdiocese of Singapore: BCL was still on. 22 parishes had their own Bible programmes like video based Bible courses and getting speakers to give Bible talk. Many were requesting for Matthew. The Pastoral Institute has finished Isaiah and would begin with the Gospel of John.

3 Diocese of Keningau: Mr. Fredoline said that more groups especially among the catechumens were asking for BBS. BCL was expected to finish by this year and Msgr Gilbert was still busy translating some of the course materials. The Bible apostolate was asked to take charge of Alpha. KK has requested Msgr Gilbert and Mr. Fredoline to conduct Alpha in BM.

4  Apostolate Vicariate of Brunei: Bishop Cornelius reported that they were having the Bible course on Psalms and Church History. They have finished Genesis 1-11. One parish was on Mark. Fr. Andy Lee gave a session of Basic Bible Study.

5 Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu: Mr. Richard reported that Deacon Sheman gave a seminar on Part one of “Splendor of Truth” on 12-14^th May, 2011 and would give the second part on 22-24^th September, 2011. Fr. Ambrose gave “the Gospel of John” on 22-30 June, 2011.The Great Adventure on James, Pearl for wise living, was still on-going from 7^th June to 23^rd August, 2011. On November 18-20, 2011 Fr. Jery would give “Life in the Word” retreat.

6 Archdiocese of Kuching: Msgr William reported that BCL in English would have the 5^th Module: Luke/Acts in September, 2011. Salvation History by Mr. Christopher Adrian was still on since March with around 50 participants. Chinese Little Rock completed Acts in May, 2011 and was on Exodus since the end of July. There were around 30 participants. A parish had the Great Adventure of Jeff Cavins for 175 participants.

7 Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur: Fr. Gerard informed the meeting that under 20 candidates sat for the BCL course exam on 2^nd July, 2011. The Archdiocese had no plan to organize another round of BCL. Msgr James Gnanapiragasam was looking into adapting the 100 weeks Bible course into shorter modules as his experience was that many were unwilling to commit to a long course or give up half way. Various Bible courses as usual were being conducted in the parishes.

Archbishop John Ha informed the meeting that SPC, Kuching had just organized a week study on “Verbum Domini” for the priests.  The responses from the priests  were generally positive.

RBC Meeting Day 1

Keningau Day 1: 2nd August 2011

The day begins with mass at 7.00 am in the Chapel. Archbishop John ha is the main celebrant. Abp Ha noted the parallelism between the Gospel and the Old Testament reading, in which two types of "prophets" or spokespersons for God were compared. Those who have been authentically chosen to speak for God must be prepared for opposition but God's support for them will not be lacking.

Bro. Richard Wong reading the passage from Numbers 12:1-13. Aaron and Miriam set themselves up as "alternative" prophets in opposition to Moses.

The meeting began in earnest at 9.00 am with perusal of the Minutes of the 38th Meeting which was held in February 2011 in Sibu.

The Road to Keningau

RBC Road Journey 1st August 2011

The first group of RBC members left Kota Kinabalu at 11.30 am, following a short visit to Coadjutor Archbishop John Wong. We were driven by Kota Kinabalu representative Richard Wong. We encountered engine overheating after 20 minutes on the way to Tambunan. We had to stop for 30 minutes to cool it down through the kind permission of a very nice lady and her daughter who allowed us to park our car in her front yard and to use the water from her washing area to wet the radiator.

There were several puppies down by the bottom of the stairs who amazingly were able to have a nap despite the intense heat. It's a dog's life!

Proceeding on, we stopped at Gunung Mas for a coffee and then headed for Tambunan and Keningau. We arrived at the Cathedral and Pastoral Center at 3 pm. We met Fredoline Umis, our RBC Keningau representative who then guided us to the Retreat Center for tea with Bishop Cornelius Piong.

As the above photo shows, our progress to the Center was blocked a couple of times as we were not the only road users!