tvc.dsj.org | March 6, 2018 VIETNAMESE
NEWS
13
Priests and Nuns Achieve an Integral and Rigorous Translation of the Bible
J.B. An Dang
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) – “A
new translation of the Bible is about
to be completed, the fruit of an inte-
gral and rigorous study to accurately
express the Word of God in a clear
and unequivocal Vietnamese,” said
Franciscan priest Father Pascal Nguyen
Ngoc Tinh.
Father Nguyen heads the ‘Liturgy
of the Hours,’ a group of Vietnamese
experts specialized in Bible studies,
theology, liturgy, pastoral ministry,
sacred music, literature, and poetry
(pictured).
Despite the many difficulties found
in a war-torn country, the group, work-
ing on a voluntary basis since 1971,
completed its first Vietnamese version
of the Bible in 1998. At that time, there
were already five different translations
circulating in the country.
The first version, published in 1916,
was the work of Father Albert Schlick-
lin of the Foreign Missions Society
of Paris (MEP). Later, Father Gérard
Gagnon, Father Trần Đức Huân, Father
Nguyễn Thế Thuấn and Cardinal Trịnh
Văn Căn published other versions.
However, the group’s first transla-
tion was probably the most enthusi-
astically received. It was the first to be
written by a group of 17 priests and
nuns rather than a single scholar.
Furthermore, since the aim of the
group is to present the Word of God in a
clear, direct, uncompromising contem-
porary language, rich in Vietnamese
literature and culture, this version
seems to be ideal for both private study
and public reading.
In a short period of time, more than
three million copies of the Bible have
been sold.
Immediately after the completion of
the first version, the group started to
work on another one in 1999 to reflect
more the cultural characteristics of the
Hebrew and Greek languages.
“The new version is more literal
and full of comments in Vietnamese,
to meet the needs of Bible studies,”
said Father Pascal Nguyen Ngoc Tinh.
“The work is well underway and, with
your prayers, it will be completed no
later than 2021, when we celebrate the
50th anniversary of the group. Please
pray for us.”
Despite the obstructionism and vari-
ous difficulties created by Vietnam’s
Communist government, the group has
also managed to complete other trans-
lations, including that of the Liturgy of
the Hours and the Roman Missal.
Some 370,000 copies of the Lit-
urgy were sold across the country and
among overseas Vietnamese communi-
ties. So far 66,000 copies of the Missal
have also been sold.
The group’s publications are also
available online at www.ktcgkpv.org.
Phan Thiết Catholics Celebrate New Year with Poor Families
Ngoc Lan
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) –
Lunar New Year (Tết) celebrations,
which this year fall during Lent, are for
Vietnamese Catholics an opportunity
to engage in social outreach and charity
in favor of the downtrodden.
Saint Paul’s Parish, in the Diocese
of Phan Thiết (suffragan of Ho Chi
Minh City), has organized a program
called ‘Lunar New Year of Love’, car-
ing for poor families, children, lonely
elderly and the sick, regardless of their
religion.
Thanks to the help of the Sisters
of the Holy Cross, the vicar and Saint
Paul’s pastoral committee are helping
the neediest in their community, both
inside and outside the parish.
Also in the Diocese of Phan Thiết,
members of the church of Điền Thôn
(Hữu Lễ district) set up the parish
building for the ‘Tết for the poor’ initia-
tive, for both Catholic and non-Catholic
families.
Vietnamese bishop tells Tết pilgrims
that faithfulness, geniality and watch-
fulness are important for family life.
Marian pilgrims in Vietnam have
been asked to follow the example of
dogs’ loyalty, affability and vigilance
to protect their families.
Thousands of people made pilgrim-
ages to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Church on the first three days of Tết or
the Lunar New Year, which started on
Feb. 16. The Redemptorist-run church
is in Ho Chi Minh City.
Catholics pray for the New Year at the Redemptorist monastery in Ho Chi Minh City on Feb. 16.
(ucanews.com photo)
“Vicar Joseph Nguyễn Văn Hiệu
and the faithful support people who
live in very difficult circumstances,
in densely forested and remote areas,
helping them to pass a cheerful Tết,”
said a volunteer from the parish Cari-
tas. “Our hope is that this is a means to
bring Jesus’ love to everyone,” he told
AsiaNews.
On February 15, at the pastoral cen-
ter in Huế (Central Vietnam), Monsi-
gnor Joseph Nguyễn Chí Linh and the
Marian Devotees Told to Learn From Dogs’ Qualities
Bishop Joseph Chau Ngoc Tri of
Lang Son Cao Bang asked pilgrims
“to show your faithfulness, geniality
and watchfulness to one another in
the Year of the Dog.” They are the most
important qualities to protect families,
he added.
Bishop Tri, head of the Vietnamese
bishops’ Episcopal Commission for
Marriage and Family, said he had been
given three photographs of a dog lying
nearby its owner’s tomb, a dog hug-
ging a cat, and a dog watching a pile
of money.
The prelate said participants should
express loyalty to their spouses, chil-
dren, family traditions, ancestors and
God’s will in daily life.
He said all people like to win world-
ly fame, success and benefits, which
can also corrupt them. “We always
must awaken and pray to God to use
properties God gives us well to build
our families,” he added.
He warned that fame, honor and
wealth do not bring happiness.
archdiocesan Caritas presented gifts
to local poor families. Catholics are a
very small minority in the area, slightly
more than 4 percent.
Mr. Liên, a practicing Buddhist,
expressed his joy at receiving a gift.
“My children and I are very happy to
receive these gifts for the New Year,”
he said. “These are gestures of love and
compassion, actions that encourage us
in life.”
Monsignor Nguyễn Chí Linh il-
lustrated some aspects of Christianity
to the audience and the reason for the
meeting, saying: “Jesus taught us that
we must know how to love everyone.”
Throughout the country thousands
of poor families live on the outskirts
of the cities, engaged in “miếng cơm
manh áo” (searching for food and
clothes for children).
According to a study by the Minis-
try of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs
(MOLISA), Vietnam had two million
poor families, or 11% of the population,
in 2016. These households earn at most
$15 a month.
Bishop Tri, who presided over a
Mass observing ancestors, called on
family members to spend time caring,
talking with one another and deepen-
ing relationships. People today chase
their own work and pleasure, threaten-
ing family ties.
Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc of Ho
Chi Minh City presided over a Mass for
the nation’s peace and prosperity, while
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Do Manh
Hung of Ho Chi Minh City conducted
a Mass for jobs.