Episcopal  Commission  on  the  Biblical  Apostolate 

May They Be One (MTBO) Bible Campaign Guidelines

MTBO is a strategic program aimed to help ECBA and PBS realize the vision of a transformed Philippines through God’s Word. It is inspired by the 12th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops held in Rome on October 5-26, 2008, which had as its theme, The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. 

Objective:   To provide Scriptures at subsidized cost that will help facilitate a moral and spiritual transformation throughout the country.

Three components to implement the Bible campaign programs through the 12 Regional Biblical Centers, Dioceses and Parishes:

1.        Bible Advocacy/Biblical Pastoral Formation – Encourage Filipinos to read,

           study, understand, pray and live God’s Word

Cast the vision and revisit Parishes, Dioceses, and Regional BA. The key to the success of MTBO is the support of Bishops and Priests – they must appreciate that:

a.        MTBO is not just about Bible distribution but it involves Biblical Pastoral                formation;

b.       MTBO is a response to the Synod of Bishops’ emphasis on Bible formation 

          among clergy and laity – that the Bishops’ Synod is our ‘Kairos’;

c.        The end of MTBO is not just ecumenism or unity of Christians but national 

           transformation. To bring to Filipinos knowledge about the Lord Jesus and

           inculcate in them biblical values, resulting to change and a move toward a 

           ‘Moral Philippines.’ Unity is necessary for a good citizenry— to have

           ‘Pagkakaisa para sa Pagbabago.’

d.       The Word of God is unparalleled as a set of principles that when adhered to 

          will help renew our country.

1. MTBO Bible Recipients:  ECBA and other ecclesial communities/organizations need to commit themselves to:

a.        Make the Bibles available to poor families for P50/copy

b.       Not resell the Bibles

c.        Give all Bible recipients Bible formation/training

d.       Help recipients and family members grow in their knowledge and relationship

          with the Lord Jesus and mature in their faith.

Recipients will work with ECBA and PBS to:

a.        Submit reports of the distribution, follow-up activities and brief written

           testimonials/stories of changed lives and 2-3 photos of distribution/follow-

           up activities.

b.       Mobilize parishioners, BEC members and friends to promote, pray, volunteer 

          and give to MTBO for the continuous meaningful distribution of God’s Word.

c.        Conduct continuing or regular Bible formation program(s) for their respective

           constituencies based on Scripture in order to animate the Filipinos.

2.        Bible Distribution – Provide 5 million Bibles in 5 years to homes, particularly

           of poor Filipinos.

         i.            Work through the 12 Regional Biblical Centers, Dioceses and Parishes

                       using the ECBA structure.

a.        Diocesan Biblical Apostolate (BA) will be strengthened. BA is composed of Bible Director, Bible Coordinator, Bible Animator, and Bible Core Team. If a BA team is not in place, form a Parish Bible Ministry Team.

b.       MTBO Bible Campaign will not be exclusive to the BA structure. For other diocesan and parish lay organizations, their requests will be endorsed by the head/coordinator of the organization to the Parish Priest or Bishop.

        ii.            A prescribed form detailing the structure of the Parish Bible Ministry/Bible Team (Bible Formator/Animator) must be accomplished and submitted by the Parishes to ECBA/PBS prior to actual distribution. The number of copies of MTBO Bibles that can be availed of will be dependent on the number of registered poor families. All requests to avail of MTBO Bibles will have to be endorsed by a Parish Priest or Bishop.

      iii.            Every year, pre-identified Dioceses from NCR, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Cordillera and ARMM will be covered.

      iv.            Emphasis is on Bible distribution to poor families attending Formation. Poor individuals/families who will receive MTBO Bibles must be pre-identified at the parish level.

       v.            MTBO Bibles will not be sold in commercially in secular and religious bookstores.

      vi.            Steps to avail of MTBO Bibles:

a.        Parish/Church must prepare letter of request (addressed to ECBA), together with their distribution plan, list of recipients, and schedule of follow-up/formation plan.

b.       Request must pass through the Diocesan Bible Director for endorsement.

c.        Submission to ECBA for approval.

d.       Orders will only be processed and served by PBS upon receipt of payment and approval from ECBA.

e.        Delivery time is 3-4 days for stocks that will be picked up at the PBS office/warehouse.  For provincial orders, allot at least 7 working days from date of approval of the order.

f.         Signing of Covenant.  An agreement specifying that Bibles will be given to poor families only, will not be resold, and that Bible recipients will be provided Bible formation/training must be signed by requesting party.

g.       Institute a continuing Bible Formation program.

h.       Submit periodic reports and updates with photos and testimonies.

    vii.            MTBO Bibles will be made available at a subsidized price of P50@copy. Total production cost isP150@copy thus a P100 subsidy per copy is needed. This will be sourced from various fundraising activities.

   viii.            PBS will shoulder freight cost if total order is P10,000 and above. The Parish/Church will shoulder the freight cost for orders below P10,000.

3.        Fundraising – Raise P500 million, here and abroad, to subsidize the printing and distribution of Scriptures in the local languages. The goal is to raise sufficient funds to enable at least 5 million Bibles to be printed and sold at the subsidized price of P50 each. Total production cost per Bible is P150.

1. Encourage ECBA and PBS partners and friends throughout the country to sign up for a nationwide donor loyalty program with the theme – “Become a Friend of the Philippine Bible Society and Help Put a Bible in Every Home.” This may be done via:

a.        Response forms in Catholic Daily Bible Reading Guide

b.       Appeal envelopes/Sign-up forms to be made available in Parishes (pews/offices), as inserts in Bibles, Christian/secular magazines and newspapers, CBCP Monitor, etc

c.        Signing-up at the website of ECBA (https://ecba-cbcp.com), PBS (www.bible.org.ph), website, blogs, other links

1. Twining Program (church-adopt-a poor church, corporation adopt a poor church/barangay, school-adopt-a poor school, etc.)

1. Radio-TV campaign, Bible Caravan, Walk/Bike for Bible, etc. (during summer/National Bible Week/Month)

1. Organize Fundraising Dinners, Movie Benefit shows, etc.

1. Presentation in churches, corporations, groups of prospective donors, etc.

Tanong:  Ano ang MTBO?

Sagot:  Ang MTBO ay isang programang tinataguyod ng ECBA at PBS

Tanong:  Ano ang layunin ng MTBO?

Sagot: Layunin ng MTBO na magkaisa ang mga Cristiano sa pagpapalaganap ng Salita ng Diyos tungo sa pagbabago ng lipunan bilang tugon sa dalangin ni Jesus na, “Maging isa nawa silang lahat, Ama.” (Juan 17:21)

Tanong:  Paano maisasakatuparan ang programang ito?

Sagot:  Makapagpalimbag ng  limang milyong Biblia sa loob ng  limang taon. Maipamahagi ang mga Bibliang ito sa murang halaga at magkaroon ng mahalagang pag-aaral at pagbabahaginan ng Salita ng Diyos sa mga parokya at iba’t ibang sekta ng lipunan.

Tanong:  Sino ang mga dapat makibahagi sa programang ito?

Sagot: 

1.  Mga taong may puso at kakayahang magbigay para mapunuan ang kaukulang halaga sa pagpapalimbag ng murang Biblia.

2.  Mga pamilyang walang kakayahang bumili ng Biblia sa regular na halaga ngunit nais makibahagi sa mga programang magpalaganap ng Salita ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral, pagsasabuhay, at pagbabahagi nito.

Ang MTBO Bible ay:

1.  Murang Biblia para sa mga walang kakayahang bumili ng Biblia sa regular na halaga.

2.  Biblia para sa mga taong seryoso sa pag-aaral ng Salita ng Diyos.

3.  Tanging para sa mga taong dumadalo ng Formation sa kanilang simbahan.

4.  Biblia na ipamamahagi sa pamamagitan ng lokal na simbahan.

Mga hakbang sa pag-sali sa MTBO program

1.  Manggagaling sa mga parokya (parishes) ang listahan ng mga karapat-dapat na tumanggap.

2.  Ang listahan ay ieendorso sa ECBA ng Diocesan Bible Director.

3.  Ang ECBA ang magbibigay ng approval para makasama sa programa at makabili  ng murang Biblia.

4.  Ipapadala ng PBS ang mga Biblia matapos na matanggap ang approval mula sa ECBA at matanggap ang bayad mula sa parokya.

5.  Patuloy ang pagsasagawa  ng Bible formation sa mga parokya.

6.  Pagbibigay ng report at litrato ng Bible distribution at formation gamit ang mga Biblia.

CAN YOU IMAGINE (THE WORD OF GOD TO EVERY HOME) 
Words & music by Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo

How wonderful it is!

How beautiful it is!

How good and how pleasant

When all of us live as one!  

Can you imagine all as neighbors reaching out to love?

Can you imagine all like children humble yet brave enough

to believe and act God’s Word that will bring a change in our world ?

We take a step to begin now!  Can you imagine?

Let us bring the Word of God to every home!

Let us share and live God’s Word and be transformed!

We will build our nation on good ground.

We will see a brand new morn!

Let us bring the Word of God to every home!

We will fulfil Jesus’ prayer: “May they be one!”

We will see how peace will flow throughout our land!

Now is the time to take a step.

We believe, now love is born!

Let us bring the Word of God to every home!

download song here

The campaign for the world’s awareness of the “MAY THEY BE ONE” project happened during the celebration of the 12th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops celebrated in Rome on October 5 to 26, 2008.   The theme of the Synod, “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church,” is clearly related to the biblical cause. One of the special guests of the Synod is the UBS General Secretary, the Rev. Archibald Miller Milloy.  He was officially invited by the Holy Father to attend the Synod in his capacity as the Secretary General of the United Bible Societies because of the magnificent cooperation that exists nowadays among the UBS with the Catholic Church and all the Christian Churches in the world.

The first event that introduced the MTBO campaign to an international group is what happened on October 10, 2008, when Rev. Miller Milloy, the General Secretary of the UBS, gave a reception at the House of the Dehonian Fathers, Villa Aurelia, Rome. The guests to this dinner were men and women connected with the United Bible Societies, the Catholic Biblical Federation and Catholic prelates attending the on-going Synod of Bishops.  Several officials of various national bible societies, who happened to be in Rome, were among those who were present, such as the General Secretary of the German Bible Society and Mr. Mario J. Paredes of the American Bible Society.  The Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF) was well represented. In fact the three leading CBF officials, who were Synod participants, were all present: Bishop Vincenzo Paglia (Italian), the CBF President, Mr. Alexander Schweitzer (German), the CBF General Secretary and myself, the Moderator of the CBF Executive Committee.

High ranking prelates of the Catholic Church graced the occasion. Among them was Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania (East Africa). It was in Dar-es-Salaam that the 7th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation was celebrated last June 24 to July 2 this year. Other Catholic personalities present at the reception were Archbishop Mark Benedict Coleridge of Canberra, Australia, Bishop Michael Ernest Putney of Townsville, Australia, and Bishop David Colin Campbell of  Dunedin, New Zealand.

There were many other personalities connected with the UBS and the Synod of Bishops, whose names I do not know. It was a sort of acquaintance party for people engaged in the biblical cause. Indeed the first word of the host, Rev. Archibald Miller Milloy, was an updating of the recent developments of the United Bible Societies in their cooperation with all Christian Churches particularly with the Roman Catholic Church. It was fraternal getting-to-know-you agape.

The “after dinner” speeches started with Rev. Miller Milloy, who clearly explained the “updated” nature of the UBS. He pointed out that formerly the UBS was indeed exclusively for the Protestants or Evangelical Churches.  But as an ecumenical spirit has been developing among Christian Churches in these past years, the UBS has ceased to be exclusively Protestant but has become an inter-confessional organization that is willing to serve or to cooperate with all Christian Churches, that is Protestant, Orthodox, Catholic and independent groups in just every matter regarding Sacred Scriptures.  

To my delight he cited the Philippines as a model of that cooperation, mentioning a unique project called “May They Be One” (MTBO) national bible campaign, which was launched on September 30, 2008 in Manila. Although the MTBO is Filipino it was a man from New Zealand who conceived of this national bible campaign, Mr. John Bergin, financial consultant for the UBS Asia-Pacific Region. Rev. Milloy requested Mr. John Bergin, who had arrived in Rome two days earlier, to describe this campaign to the dinner guests. Mr. Bergin gave just few remarks because he wanted me to elaborate on it, since it is really a Philippine project. 

In my speech I informed the audience that the MTBO was conceived a year ago in Manila, when John Bergin talked to me about this unique bible fund-raising plan in the presence of Mrs. Nora Lucero, the General Secretary of the PBS, and other PBS officials. His description of the aim of the project and how to go about it was so pleasant and convincing that I simply could not say no. Rejecting it would be tantamount to refusing God’s desire of spreading His Word to all the Filipino families. He added that this could be a model of cooperation among the national bible societies. He selected the Philippines for this project because of its strategic position and of its being the biggest Christian nation in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a few words I informed the audience that the MTBO is an ecumenical endeavor of the Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the Philippine Bible Society with the cooperation of other Christian churches. The noble aims of the MTBO campaign captured the hearts of the listeners: the unity of all Christians in response to Christ’s prayer, the social transformation and renewal of the Philippines by putting a bible in every Filipino home, to raise sufficient funds within our country and overseas to be able to distribute five million copies of the Bible in the next five years at low cost or even free for the poorest of the poor. Then I appealed to the “First World” countries to help the “The Third World” nations like the Philippines in our efforts to disseminate the Word of God because the poor are truly hungry not only for physical food but for spiritual nourishment coming from Sacred Scriptures. I cited some statistics that only 40 % percent of Filipino families own a bible in their home and that 98% of Filipinos are literate and so are able to read the Word of God provided they possess a copy of the Holy Bible.

My speech must have touched the international audience because I received not only congratulations but concrete promise of help in our national biblical campaign. Mr. Mario J. Paredes, the Presidential Liaison of the American Bible Society for the Roman Catholic and Hispanic Latino Ministries, expressed his admiration for the MTBO and immediately invited me to come some day to the ABS headquarters in New York, where my appeal for financial help will receive a substantial backing from the authorities. He even gave me his calling card so that we could communicate with each other. Subsequently I showed his card to John Bergin whom I requested to accompany me to New York to promote the MTBO. The authorities of the German Bible Society likewise approached me later and expressed their desire to help our project. The Catholic Bishops of Australia and New Zealand were also willing to assist in our fund raising campaign. 

Thus the good result of that reception on October 10 as far as we are concerned is that the MTBO had been properly introduced to an international group, which admired the concept, encouraged us to implement it and even promised to offer monetary help.

The second significant day for the MTBO during the Synod was October 14. First event: After the morning session of the Synod, during the lunch break, a press conference took place at the Vatican Press Office in Via della Conciliazione, organized by Bishop Vincenzo Paglia, the President of the Catholic Biblical Federation. Its main purpose was the public presentation and signing of the ” Catholic Biblical Federation and United Bible Societies’ Joint Statement on Partnership in the Biblical Ministry”. Cardinal Walter Kasper, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity was the first speaker of the panel. He spoke of the beautiful ecumenical movement, already started by the Second Vatican Council, which is culminating with the cooperation of many Christian churches particularly in the biblical pastoral ministry. Bishop Vincenzo Paglia, the CBF President, explained the contents of the Joint Statement and Rev. Archibald Miller Milloy, the UBS General Secretary, expressed his happiness that the partnership of the UBS and the Catholic Biblical Federation has become more intense over the years, not only in the work of translating and distributing the bible to as many Christians as possible but in helping people interact with the Word of God meaningfully in the tradition of their own church. “Therefore the Bible Societies’ services to the Catholic Church may now include the provision of Bible editions in which the books are presented in the order of the Catholic biblical canon, and in which helps for readers to gain understanding of the meaning of the text reflect the Catholic Church’s teaching and tradition.”

The Joint Statement was signed in the view of the public by the officials of the Catholic Biblical Federation and the United Bible Societies who were seated at the panel of the Press Office. The solemn act was well attested to by the presence of many media groups in Rome, radio, television and the press.

Second event of October 14:  In the afternoon session of the Synod Rev. Archibald Miller Milloy, being a special guest invited by the Holy Father, was given the privilege to give an intervention at the General Assembly for 4 minutes.  His talk was well appreciated and even applauded. He made reference to the signing of the Joint Statement of CBF and UBS Partnership in the Biblical Ministry just accomplished some hours ago. Toward the end of his talk he cited the MTBO as a model of cooperation of a national bible society with the Catholic Church. Thus our project became known to the whole Church through the mouth of the General Secretary of the UBS.

Fortunately there was a period of “free intervention” and I was lucky to be given three minutes to talk to the General Assembly as a follow-up of Rev. Miller Milloy’s brief mentioning of the MTBO. (This was the second time that I gave a talk at this Synod, for I had already given my official intervention of five minutes some days ago.)   I elaborated a bit the aim of the MTBO and spoke at length of the magnificent collaboration of the Philippine Bible Society with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference through the Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate. An example of a concrete collaboration that has been going for many years is the publication of the Catholic Daily Bible Reading Guide, whose sample I distributed to the Synod participants by placing a copy in their respective pigeon hole. I also mentioned the National Catholic Family Bible Quiz, which is also being supported by the Philippine Bible Society. I ended up by requesting churches and bible societies of richer countries to support the biblical pastoral ministry of poor countries and by thanking the UBS and the PBS for their wonderful cooperation in our common concern to spread the Word of God to all people. 

 After my speech many bishops congratulated me with the remark that the Philippine Church is giving a fine example to all national churches by designing concrete programs how to distribute the Bible systematically to all people, at least to every family. The bishops said: “Would that other countries follow your example!”

The third event of that day happened in the evening. Bishop Vincenzo Paglia invited many Synodal participants to a reception given by the Community of San Egidio at the church of Sta. Maria di Trastevere. This community, founded by a layman, Mr. Andrea Riccardi, has a special love for the Word of God. Moved by the message of the Bible, lay men and women have grouped together to form a community that prays  every day solemn and sung Morning and Evening prayers centered on Sacred Scripture. They do not only read, pray and live the Bible, they also do works of charity by feeding poor people every day. It is a wonder that at this time and age there are still many people who are drawn to a real Christian life through the power of God?s Word! Bishop Paglia, the CBF President, used to be the pastor of this community before being promoted to the Episcopal rank. The attendance at their inspiring Evening Prayers and the reception given by this community to several Synod participants was a fitting climax to this day filled with joy because of the blessings God gave to us biblical apostles.

And finally the other assignment for me is to give a special sample of the MTBO Bible to the Holy Father.  I wrote Archbishop Fernando Filoni, the Sub-Secretary of State (the “3rd man” at the Vatican), former Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, whom I know personally, to help us get an audience with the Holy Father in view of giving the sample of the MTBO Bible to him. It was our desire that all the Synod participants from the Philippines plus Mr. John Bergin of UBS would be present at that special audience. However, Archbishop Filoni called me by phone that at this time it is impossible to get a special audience of the Pope. The Synod officials suggested that I alone would give the MTBO bible to the Holy Father during a quick photo session which the Pope would grant to all Synod participants.

My chance to have a photo session with the Pope came in the morning of October 18 during the coffee break when our English small discussion group would be greeting the Holy Father individually. I managed to give him the special Papal Edition of the MTBO (gold-edged with white leather cover). The Pope was amused with the gift and even asked me its significance; so we started to converse for a minute or two, apparently a forbidden act, taking too long, because the papal guard was shooing me away. My “long” encounter with the Holy Father enabled the photographers to take five different shots of myself and the Pope; four with the Bible and one without the Bible.

 As a sort of consolation for us Filipinos who were not able to see the Pope as a group, Archbishop Fernando Filoni invited us to a special lunch with him at his residence in the Apostolic Palace on October 22. Miss Elvira Yap Go, an auditor of the Synod and founder of the National Catholic Family Bible Quiz, joined us Filipino bishops (Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Bishop Pablo David and myself) at the lunch offered by the Vatican Sub-Secretary of State.

 There was another Papal Edition of the bible with a brown leather cover. I gave it to His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, during my visit with him on October 24 at his office and residence in Via della Conciliazione. Cardinal Kasper had written a special endorsement of the MTBO project. He appreciated the gift because his English bible was already overused with torn pages. How inspiring to know that this German Cardinal has been perusing an English bible through the years!

 I gave samples of the ordinary edition of the MTBO Bibles to several friends and church dignitaries. My purpose was two-fold: as a souvenir of the Synod on the Word of God and as a reminder to help us in our biblical fund-raising campaign. Among the recipients of the meaningful gift from the Philippine Bible Society are: Rev. Miller Milloy, Bishop Paglia, Mr. Schweitzer, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigma (former member of the Executive Committee of the CBF), Ms. Teresa Wilsnagh (new member of the EC-CBF), Bishop Felix Toppo, SJ (my neighbor at the Synod hall), all the Filipino Synod participants, SVD confreres in Rome, personnel at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino and some others.

 I left extra copies of the 2009 Catholic Daily Bible Reading Guide at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino to be distributed to many OFWs in Rome and others who may find this leaflet very useful and practical. The 2009 edition also entitled “May They Be One” includes the fund-raising campaign to help “PUT A BIBLE IN EVERY HOME”.

May the Lord continue to touch many hearts to help us in this huge and challenging project, which has started to gain acceptance and momentum in Rome. It is our hope that God’s Word may run fast from Rome to the whole world, as the Latins say “ab Urbe ad Orbem” (from the city to the world)! 

By:

Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, DD
Bishop of Sorsogon
Synod Father
Chairman, Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate of the CBCP
President and Chairman, Philippine Bible Society
Moderator, Executive Committee of the Catholic Biblical Federation

Sorsogon City, November 24, 2008