Joining the Ordinariate - time for a new Bible?

[ianjmatt]

I am in the process of joining the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham - finally entering into full communion after many years of prayer and soul searching. I wondered if anyone knows what the position of various Bible translations are with the Council of Bishops for England and Wales?

I currently use an NRSV-CE, which I understand some have objections to over the inclusive language (which I think is pretty mild) - does this have the imprimatur of a UK Bishop for personal use?

What is the status of the RSV-CE in the UK?

I know the Jerusalem Bible is used liturgically, but I find it severely lacking for serious study.

Any other thoughts?

Many thanks!

 

[RPRPsych]

I am in the process of joining the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham - finally entering into full communion after many years of prayer and soul searching. I wondered if anyone knows what the position of various Bible translations are with the Council of Bishops for England and Wales?

I currently use an NRSV-CE, which I understand some have objections to over the inclusive language (which I think is pretty mild) - does this have the imprimatur of a UK Bishop for personal use?

What is the status of the RSV-CE in the UK?

I know the Jerusalem Bible is used liturgically, but I find it severely lacking for serious study.

Any other thoughts?

Many thanks!

The RSV-CE was, in fact, adapted by a group of British Catholics (I forget the name of the organization.) It’s used in the Lectionary and missalettes in several Commonwealth countries, including my own.

If you want an RSV-CE for study, there are two excellent options:

1. The RSV-CE, Catholic Scripture Study Bible, available from St. Benedict’s Press. This reproduces the notes of the RSV-CE, and also has handy tables of references to important concepts, apologetics issues, and essays on key aspects of Catholic teaching in today’s world. I found this one recently, and I can recommend it.
2. The RSV-2nd Catholic Edition, published by Ignatius Press. This corrects some of the weaknesses of the RSV-CE (such as “young woman” in Isaiah 7: 14), and has far better cross-references. If you need a version for serious study, the RSV-2CE New Testament Ignatius Study Bible is available as a single volume, and is full of good reference material and quotes from the Church Fathers.

 

[Solly_Gratia]

I did read elsewhere, though I don’t have the link, that the CBEW will be selecting the ESV with modifications, by 2015, and that Crossway had approved the use, modifications, and DC books. sorry i don’t have a link, so take it with the usual pinch of salt.

 

[Rich_C]

The Douay-Rheims is always a good choice. It was made specifically for English Catholics.

 

[CalCatholic]

Catholic are free to use the Bible of their choice for personal study. Your NRSV-CE should be fine for now (and latter). As mentioned above, it sounds like the ESV (modified for the Catholic Lectionary) will be used in the future in the U.K. Who knows how long it will take to get a ESV-CE Bible, if there will ever be one?

 

[porthos11]

I am in the process of joining the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham - finally entering into full communion after many years of prayer and soul searching. I wondered if anyone knows what the position of various Bible translations are with the Council of Bishops for England and Wales?

I currently use an NRSV-CE, which I understand some have objections to over the inclusive language (which I think is pretty mild) - does this have the imprimatur of a UK Bishop for personal use?

What is the status of the RSV-CE in the UK?

I know the Jerusalem Bible is used liturgically, but I find it severely lacking for serious study.

Any other thoughts?

Many thanks!

First off, as a Catholic you may use any approved Bible for personal use and study, so you may certainly hold on to your NRSV.

From what I’ve heard and understand though, the Ordinariates are adopting the Second Catholic Edition of the RSV for liturgical use. I know this to be true for the U.S. Ordinariate and is likely true for the UK Ordinariate as well.