What Bible is used in the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church, with its rich history and diverse practices, has a unique relationship with the Bible. While the Church acknowledges the Bible as the Word of God, it uses a specific version that has been translated and approved for liturgical use. This version is known as the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSVCE).
The RSVCE is a translation of the Bible that was published in 1966 by the Catholic Biblical Association of America. It is based on the Revised Standard Version (RSV), which was first published in 1952. The RSVCE is widely used in Catholic churches around the world, and it is considered the standard English translation for Catholic liturgy.
The RSVCE includes the complete Old Testament, the New Testament, and the deuterocanonical books, which are recognized as part of the Catholic Bible. The deuterocanonical books include the books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. These books are not included in the Protestant Bible, which is why the RSVCE is distinct from the King James Version or the New International Version.
The RSVCE is known for its accuracy and faithfulness to the original Greek and Hebrew texts. It is also considered to be a balanced translation, offering a clear and readable text while maintaining the integrity of the original language. This makes it a valuable resource for both laypeople and scholars within the Catholic community.
In addition to the RSVCE, many Catholics also use other translations of the Bible, such as the New American Bible (NAB) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). These translations are considered to be more contemporary and are often used for personal study and devotion. However, the RSVCE remains the official translation for liturgical use in the Catholic Church.
The use of the RSVCE in the Catholic Church reflects the Church’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of biblical scholarship while also providing a translation that is accessible to all believers. By using this version, the Church ensures that the Word of God is presented in a way that is both accurate and inspiring, allowing Catholics to engage with the Bible in a meaningful and transformative way.
