Rome, Italy. The International Congress of the Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF) took place in Rome from 23rd – 26th April, 2019. This year’s Congress also marked the Golden Jubilee celebration (1969-2019) of the foundation of the Federation. The Theme of the Congress was: The Bible and Life: Biblical Inspiration of the Entire Pastoral Life and Mission of the Church (VD 73), Experiences and Challenges.
There were about 160 participants from all over the world. Our Congregation is an Associate Member of this Federation and the Claretian Family was represented with the participants of 4 members (Alberto Rossa CMF: PBF, Alejandro Gobrin,CMF: CBF Asia, Wilma Mancuello Gonzalez MIC, FeBiC, Paraguay and Henry Omonisaye,CMF Congregational Co-ordinator of Bible Ministry) in different capacities.
The Congress featured Lectio Divina, paper presentations on Bible Ministry, Exegesis and Hermeneutics, biblical translations, continental sharing of experiences, etc. It was also an opportunity to mutually enrich each other in the mission of Christ especially in the Bible Ministry.
The Congress members had the opportunity to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Mass at the Vatican and with an audience with the Holy father, Pope Francis. In the course of the audience, he signed the Chinese translation of the New Testament which was presented to him by Alberto Rossa,CMF.
The Congress was an enriching one and will help the Church’s biblical ministry, making the Word of God a living and transforming one especially as Listeners and Servants of the Word.
