Bishops issue study guide for parishes to promote scripture

A new resource has been launched by the Bishops’ Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis to promote a deeper appreciation of the place of the Bible in the Catholic community in England and Wales, and to support the new evangelisation.

‘The Word of the Lord: Discovering Verbum Domini’ has been written to help people study the Apostolic Exhortation, Verbum Domini, which followed the 2008 Synod on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. It is thought to be the only the Study Guide introducing the Apostolic Exhortation, that is currently available for parish groups, catechists and also teachers.

Bishop Kieran Conry, Chair of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis writes in the foreword to the Guide: “This Study Guide will help promote a deeper appreciation of the place of the Bible in our faith, and assist us in the new evangelisation which is being taken up with such enthusiasm. As we celebrate the Year of Faith marking fifty years since the Second Vatican Council, the teaching of Pope Benedict in Verbum Domini will increase our confidence in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, God's word to the world of today.”

The Guide divides the Apostolic Exhortation into six parts and also contains easily accessible material for use in parish groups. Questions printed in the margins of the page are offered to support prayer and reflection. It is hoped that it will particularly assist parish groups, catechists and teachers, to appreciate the richness of the teaching offered by Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, in Verbum Domini.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols writes: "One of the greatest gifts of the Second Vatican Council has been a deepened awareness of the importance of Sacred Scripture in our lives. We have grown to know and love the Bible. The recent Synod of Bishops in Rome on 'The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church' was a grace-filled occasion to consider progress made since the Council and action to be taken in the years ahead. I heartily recommend this Study Guide to the Synod Document, Verbum Domini, and encourage its use by Catholics and ecumenically. The text is succinctly explained and group sessions are also offered. I warmly thank Bible Society for generously supporting work on the Study Guide and The Catholic Truth Society for producing and promoting it. May it help lead us to that 'new season of greater love for Sacred Scripture' encouraged by Pope Benedict and the
Bishops of the world."

The Guide was written by Fr Adrian Graffy, Director of Evangelisation in the Diocese of Brentwood, with the assistance of the members of the National Scripture Working Group, which is supported by Bible Society and the Bishops’ Conference, Home Mission Desk. It is published by the Catholic Truth Society in London and can be obtained from: www.ctsbooks.org/word-of-the-lord-2

Source: CCN