Union of Catholic Asian News (http://www.ucanews.com/2010/11/03/chinese-biblical-scholars-to-meet-in-malaysia/)
Chinese Bible scholars to meet in Malaysia , 3 November 2010
by ucanews.com reporter, Hong Kong
Chinese-speaking biblical scholars from Asia, Europe and Australia will meet in Malaysia next week to reflect on recommendations from the 2008 Synod of Bishops on the Word of God.
The Ninth United Chinese Catholic Biblical Association (UCCBA) Congress, which will take place from Nov. 11-15 in Kuala Lumpur, is expected to bring together 120 scholars and those working in the bible ministry from 15 countries.
Focusing on the theme Living out the Word to Spread God’s Kingdom, the gathering marks the 20th anniversary of UCCBA, which was founded in 1990 as a worldwide union of Chinese Catholic Bible groups.
It also marks 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 will also commemorate the 10th anniversary of the canonization of 120 Chinese martyr saints and will pray for the beatification cause of Franciscan Father Gabriel Maria Allegra (1907-1976), Hong Kong-based UCCBA secretary, Cecilia Chui, told ucanews.com.
Father Allegra pioneered the Chinese translation of the Catholic Bible through the foundation of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in 1945.
Speakers will include Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun from Hong Kong, Archbishop John Ha of Kuching from Malaysia, Biblical scholars Jesuit Father Mark Fang from Taiwan and Divine Word Father Ludger Feldkämper from Germany, former general secretary of the Catholic Biblical Federation, will also address the gathering.
Chui told ucanews.com that the event aims to facilitate experiential exchanges, mutual learning and collaboration in the ministry of the Word.
She said she hoped the UCCBA would extend its network to more Chinese communities worldwide.
The UCCBA is an associate member of the Catholic Biblical Federation, a world fellowship of international and local organizations committed to the biblical-pastoral ministry.
The last congress was held in Macau in 2007.
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