Claretian Publications at the UCCBA Congress

The Ninth United Chinese Catholic Biblical Association (UCCBA) Congress brought together the Chinese-speaking biblical scholars from Asia, Europe and Australia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Congress was held from November 11 - 15 to reflect on recommendations from the 2008 Synod of Bishops on the Word of God. This Ninth Congress of UCCBA brought together 120 scholars and those working in the Bible ministry from 15 countries.

Delagates of the UCCBA, during the Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Congress focused on the theme "Living out the Word to Spread God’s Kingdom,” The gathering marked the 20th anniversary of UCCBA, which was founded in 1990 as a worldwide union of Chinese Catholic Bible groups. It also marked the 45th anniversary of the promulgation of the Second Vatican Council documents Dei Verbum (The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation) and Apostolicam Actuositatem, (The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity) of the Second Vatican Council.

Participants also commemorated the 10th anniversary of the canonization of 120 Chinese martyr saints and prayed for the beatification cause of Franciscan Father Gabriel Maria Allegra (1907-1976), Father Allegra pioneered the Chinese translation of the Catholic Bible through the foundation of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in 1945.

Our good friend and collaborator during the past five years, Fr. John Mi Shen, a recently ordained priest, along with Ms. Winnie Wong, Editor of our publications in Chinese traditional (standing up); and a friend during the meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Speakers in the Congress included Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun from Hong Kong, Archbishop John Ha of Kuching from Malaysia, Biblical scholars Fr. Mark Fang, SJ from Taiwan and Fr. Ludger Feldkämper, SVD from Germany. 28 priests, 8 religious Sisters, 3 seminarians and 84 laity also participated in the congress. The speakers delved on relevant themes such as:

1. The Chinese Bible pastoral service in new era;
2. The mission of the Bishop and the clergy;
3. How to build a church which centered the Word of God through evangelization;
4. Effectively promote reconciliation and communion;
5. The role of the faithful by prophetical witnesses,

The representatives from Claretian Publications in Macau were also invited to participate in the Congress. They described in detail the services and efforts being done in promoting the Word of God in the world, particularly in China, stressing their commitment to continue providing biblical and spiritual resources by publishing the “Lectio Divina Bible” and “Daily Gospel”.

Teresa Li (our Editor for the simplified Chinese) and a friend in Kuala Lumpur

“UCCBA” was established in 1990. It aims to evangelize the Chinese region around both inside and outside, to assist in promoting the Chinese Church, Bible Pastoral service, group sharing and daily reading in the Word of God a, and in 1993 joinedthe world of the Bible Society. This workshop is designed to promote the exchange of experiences from Divine Word services, mutual learning and mutual cooperation, while continuing to expand Chinese Bible Association’s network, and strengthen ties with the Chinese Catholic groups worldwide.