Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate

ECBA-CBCP andPHILIPPINE BIBLE SOCIETY FACE BIG CHALLENGE

The Episcopal Commissionfor the Biblical Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines(ECBA-CBCP) and the Philippine Bible Society (PBS) are preparing to meet amajor challenge in relation to the ‘MayThey be One’ (MTBO) Bible Campaign. A partnership between ECBA-CBCP and thePhilippine Bible Society, the campaign is a journey towards nationaltransformation and the country’s spiritual, moral and social stability. Supportedand participated in by other churches, the MTBO based on John 17:21, has thestated goal of distributing Bibles for 5 million poor Filipino families in 5years at a subsidized price of P50/US$1 per Bible.

Not only do ECBAand the Philippine Bible Society want to be able to distribute low cost Bibles,they also want to ensure that recipients will fully benefit from having a copythrough a values formation component that will be provided by the churches inthe form of Bible seminars.

In 2009, the goalwas to distribute100,000 Bibles and by the end of September more than 70,000 poorfamilies have already received Bibles through the parishes, the Basic EcclesialCommunities, religious and lay organizations. This was made possible from fundsadvanced by partners and initial fundraising activities. To achieve the goalfor the year and meet all costs associated with it, ECBA-CBCP and PBS needs toraise P8.5 million by December 31, 2009.

“This seems an impossible task consideringthat we only have about three months to go but the campaign has drawn the helpof other Bible Societies and we have the opportunity to exceed our goal” said Mrs. Nora Lucero, General Secretary ofthe Philippine Bible Society.

“The American Bible Society has pledged todonate US$100,000 (about P5 million) to this campaign if we are able to raisethe same amount of money by year’s end. To date, almost P1.5 million (around US$30,000)has been raised.  The exciting thingabout the proposal is that the Bible Society concerned has offered to raise thesame amount again for us next year if we meet the December 31 deadline. Inaddition, more could be made available from other Bible Societies later” added Mrs. Lucero. “That means that for every P50 (US$1) given, potentially P200 (US$4)will be raised for this crucial campaign.”

Everyone canparticipate. “The challenge for ECBA-CBCPand the Philippine Bible Society is to find enough people who will give anythingfrom P150.00 (US$3, the full cost of one Bible) to P150,000 (US$3,000) or more towardsthis campaign and help meet the challenge. The great thing about this campaignis that anybody can be involved. Any donation our friends and supporters makewill collectively ensure we achieve this significant goal and potentiallymultiply the donations by four to provide subsidized Bibles to over 200,000poor families,” said Mrs. Lucero.

“While we are aCatholic nation, it is very surprising that many of our Filipino homes do nothave a Bible. The aim, therefore, of the May They Be One Campaign of providingevery Filipino Catholic home with a Bible deserves our commendation andsupport. Indeed, putting a Bible in every home is putting Christ in everyheart,” said Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila.

To learn more abouthow you can be part of the MTBO Campaign and make significant change, visit www.Bible.org.phor www.ecba-cbcp.com.  Donations can be made towards this challengeby making a deposit to the following bank accounts: PBS-MTBO Account #3903-0649-34 (BPI Sta. Mesa Branch) or ECBA-CBCP Account #0251-021373(BPI-Tayuman Branch).  ###

September 22, 2009