The upcoming 25th anniversary of the U.S. Catholic China Bureau Conference and the recent publication of the first parallel translation of the Old Testament in English and Chinese are signs of the strengthening evangelization efforts in the Chinese American community, said the chairman of the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
“These efforts show the continued growth and strengthening of the faith among Chinese Americans. It helps the Church around the world to understand the history and struggles of the Catholic Church in China,” said Bishop Randolph Calvo of Reno, chairman of the Subcommittee. “In the Year of Faith, our hope is to see a greater number of Chinese Catholics growing in their faith, teaching their children about Jesus and spreading the word of God.”
The parallel translation is significant because now Chinese American Catholics have a full bible in both languages. The 25th anniversary of the U.S. Catholic China Bureau Conference is considered a milestone in strengthening evangelization efforts in that community.
Chinese Americans represent the largest Asian group in the United States according to the U.S. Census; however, Chinese Catholics are a minority with an estimated 340,860 living in the United States.
Catholics in the United States interested in learning more about the Catholic Church in China and the challenges it faces will have that opportunity at the Annual National China Conference, which will take place at Loyola University in Chicago, October 4-6. This year’s theme is “The American Catholic Church and China in an Era of Globalization.”
The parallel translation of the Old Testament version of the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), which is the latest volume, complements the bilingual New Testament Bible first published in 2009. The Old Testament volume is published by Bible Vision, a non-profit group of Chinese Catholic volunteers who promote the study of the Scriptures.
The first bible in Chinese was published in 1968, after a 40-year effort of Blessed Father Gabriele M. Allegra.
The Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs is under the direction of USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity.
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More information about the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs can be found at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/asian-pacific-islander/index.cfm
