Dear Catholic Exchange:
Why are the scripture quotations in the Catechism of the Catholic Church adapted from versions of the Bible by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America when the Catholic Church isn't even a member of that council? Why aren't the quotations from a liturgically approved version?
Terry
Dear Terry,
Peace in Christ!
When the Catechism was published, the New American Bible, the Jerusalem Bible, and the Revised Standard Version (RSV) were, in fact, translations approved for use in the Liturgy. The new lectionary in 2002 provided a single translation for use in the Liturgy, but that does not imply that the RSV is an unsuitable translation for the study of Scripture.
On the contrary, because the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE) is the translation used in the English Catechism and for its closeness to the Greek and Hebrew original, the RSVCE is usually recommended for careful study.
The RSVCE seeks to maintain what is called a “formal correspondence” between the ancient language and English. Finally, as translating into English involves trade-offs and judgment, the proposed use of any English translation for the Catechism is open to some criticism and debate.
United in the Faith,
Eric Stoutz
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
Editor's Note: To submit a faith question to Catholic Exchange, email faithquestions@catholicexchange.com. Please note that all email submitted to Catholic Exchange becomes the property of Catholic Exchange and may be published in this space. Published letters may be edited for length and clarity. Names and cities of letter writers may also be published. Email addresses of viewers will not normally be published.
