In Brief...

The Holy Father’s Intentions

Pope John Paul II has announced the following general and missionary intentions for July and August 2000:

October

That young married couples may be sustained by the example and assistance of their parents and other families.

That a revived awareness of the universal co-responsibility of bishops may multiply initiatives of missionary cooperation among the local Churches.

November

That politicians and economists may consider it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people, giving first place to the most poverty-stricken.

That reflection on the missionary role of religious institutes may foster new and holy vocations to the consecrated life.

Choosing a Bible

St. Paul exhorts us to read Scripture for love of God—“to instruct [us] for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 3:15). He also urges us to read Scripture for love of others, that we may be prepared to share with others the riches of our faith. After all, Scripture is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Those of us who do not understand Greek or Hebrew must rely on translators and editors to make the Word accessible to us. Given the variety of translations and editions available, which Bible does CUF recommend?

The selection of a Bible depends on its intended use and the faithfulness of the translation. Some translations are better for personal and devotional use, while others are better for study and discussion. In brief, choose a Bible that will be used.

The first consideration is readability. Survey a few translations to find one easy and interesting to read. Reading almost any translation is preferable to not reading the Bible at all.

Second, consider editions of translations. An edition of the Bible is the formatting and annotation of a translation. A Catholic edition of a translation includes the deuterocanon (i.e., books not found in Protestant Bibles) and explanatory notes based on the teachings of the Church. Translations may also be available in study, reader, and student editions.

Third, while other considerations may be taken into account, one indicator of a good translation is that it has been approved for use in the liturgy by the Holy See.

Remember, the Catholic Church is the Bible Church!

For more assistance in choosing a Bible and on Bible translations approved for liturgical use by the Holy See, call CUF toll-free (800) MY-FAITH (693-2484).

—Eric Stoutz

Catholic Voice

In the August 18, 2000 edition of The Catholic Voice, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, Archbishop Elden Curtiss wrote a compelling article on Catholics and abortion in view of the upcoming election. The Archbishop wrote:

“It is a strange reversal of roles these days for people who call themselves liberal to be supporters of abortion while those who are opposed to abortion are called conservative. Traditionally, liberals have championed the cause of people in need, people who fall through the protective social net provided by government. Liberals have supported the working poor and those who cannot compete in the marketplace. They have championed individual rights against economic and political pressure and provided a voice for those who were voiceless in our society.

“This is the reason that most immigrant Catholics were at one time members of the Democratic Party in this country. This was the party that looked out for the interests of minority people and their security in a highly competitive society so that the gap between the wealthy and the poor would not continue to widen. This effort resulted in a coalition of different movements in this country—labor unions, liberal politicians and social activists in the Church. . . .

“Instead of promoting a liberal cause in support of birth mothers and their babies, the Democratic Party [has now] embraced an elitist cause by promoting the destruction of pre-born and partially born human life.

“Catholic Democrats, therefore, have an obligation in conscience to do everything they can to reverse the pro-abortion policy of their party and to support those candidates who will protect human life in the womb.

“Catholic Republicans, on the other hand, have the obligation in conscience to see that their party plank against abortion is acted upon rather than ignored in legislative processes across the nation.

“Abortion must be a serious issue for anyone who embraces the Church’s teaching regarding the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death. To dissent against a major teaching of the Church regarding sexual morality is a serious breach for Catholics and a cause of scandal for people who become aware of it. Any Catholics who support direct abortion as a viable option for ending a pregnancy participate in the serious objective evil of abortion and give aid and comfort to the enemies of the Church’s teaching regarding human life ethics. Their position needs to be publicly condemned by Church leadership so that the scandal does not continue to be compounded.

“You can be assured that I will challenge any Catholic in Northeastern Nebraska who claims to be a member of the Church and at the same time supports abortion. It is not a liberal cause that is being supported but an elitist, anti-Catholic one. There is no place for discrimination against pre-born or partially born babies in the Catholic Church. Catholics who are against the Church on this important issue are in serious dissent against the Church. They and everyone else need to be clear about this breach with the Church. It is not a liberal cause to support abortion:” It is anti-life and anti-Church.”

For the complete text, call CUF toll-free at (800) MY-FAITH (693-2484), or click here.

The Light of Truth

Led by the Light of Truth is a stirring, new documentary film from Ignatius Press on the conversion stories of three well-known Catholics.

Catholic converts Stephen Ray, a best-selling author and CUF advisor, Johnnette Benkovic, popular EWTN personality, and Tim Staples, lay evangelist and former Assemblies of God youth pastor, give their candid, personal testimonies of faith and frustration, devotion and doubt, light and longing. In this compelling documentary, you’ll explore their unique backgrounds, follow their searches, accompany them in their homecoming to the Church, and look ahead with them as they seek to fulfill God’s mission in their lives. Led By The Light of Truth brings apologetics to life!

To order your copy of this outstanding video, call Benedictus Books toll-free at (888) 316-2640. CUF members receive a 10% discount.

Springtime in November

Final preparations are now being made for CUF’s Springtime of Faith conference, scheduled for the weekend of November 3-5, 2000 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Join CUF board members, staff, and members and chapters from around the country for this faith-packed event.

In addition to talks by dynamic speakers such as Bishop Slattery, Scott Hahn, Jeff Cavins, and Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J., there will be small breakout sessions throughout the weekend on Scripture, apologetics, liturgy, and marriage and family. Whatever your interest is, chances are we will have an informative session or two for you on that subject.

If you haven’t already registered for “Springtime of Faith,” call toll-free (888) 821-2156, or sign up online by clicking here. The Lay Witness editorial staff looks forward to meeting many of you next month!

Click here to view past issues.