Sponsor a Translation into Arabic of the Wednesday Catechesis of the Pope
Monday, October 19, 2009

Project Code: 398-00-89

Every Wednesday, during his General Audience, the Holy Father gives a short catechetical instruction to the assembled faithful at St. Peter's Square in Rome. This instruction is also broadcast to the thousands of Catholics around the world who listen to these addresses on the radio or television, or who read them later in print. Each time he expounds a major aspect of the Christian faith and explains important theological issues.

The Oasis Foundation, which was established in 2004 by Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice in order to promote dialogue between Christians and Muslims and to give Christians in majority in Islamic countries a voice, has now proposed that this catechesis be translated into Arabic so as to provide spiritual nourishment to Christians in Arabic-speaking countries. Indeed, it will be valuable not only for Christians but could, as Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo in Syria writes, help to contribute to a "constructive dialogue between the faithful of the various religious communities." Experience has shown that both Orthodox Christians who want to know more about their Catholic sister-Church and also Muslims who wish to understand better about the teachings of Christianity are interested in reading the words of the Pope. The texts could be used in schools and universities.

Since the Oasis Foundation includes a number of outstanding experts in the field who could guarantee a very high quality of translation, this proposal represents an important contribution, not only to scholarship, but also to peaceful coexistence among the people of the countries concerned. Errors in translation could do much damage, but a good translation could open hearts and doors to reciprocal understanding. What is most important is that Arabic-speaking Christians, who are increasingly a dwindling minority in their own native lands, can be reinforced in their feeling of being an important part of the universal Church.

When the Holy Father visited the Middle East in May this year, he remarked during his address in Amman that "the local Catholic community is deeply affected by the difficulties and the uncertainty that afflict all the peoples of the Middle East. May you never forget the great dignity that springs from your Christian inheritance and may you be always conscious of the loving solidarity of all your brothers and sisters in the Church throughout the entire world!"

So that Christians in the Arabic-speaking countries can truly experience this solidarity, ACN has promised $9,100 to enable the Holy Father's catechetical expositions to be translated into Arabic over the course of the next three years. Will you help Christians in the Middle East by supporting this important translation project?

 

Progress: 0% Raised: $ 10     Goal: $ 9100

Return to Projects in Need