Youth edition of New Testament released

Nov 04, 2022

By Jose Torres Jr
A new edition of the New Testament for young people was launched on the sideline of the general conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) in Thailand on October 21.

The book titled Identity: Identified, Navigating the Challenges of Life contains QR codes that if scanned will take the reader to video clips that have people talking about Bible passages.

Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao, chairman of the Commissions for Evangelisation, and Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching of Malaysia presented the book at the FABC meeting.

“What makes ‘Identity: Identified’ unique is … the inclusion of 24 four-page inserts of Catholic teachings on big issues in life that young people face,” said Bishop Pallipparambil.

He said the issues — “loneliness, rejection, suicide, making good choices, living in a sexualised world, Where is God when it hurts, Why am I here?” — were identified during the 2018 Synod on Youth.

“I am sure that this little effort will bear rich fruits as it will help people to personalise the Word of God,” said the bishop.

“‘Identity: Identified is going to be a great wealth in the hands of the youth of Asia Pacific,” said Archbishop Poh.

The project was made possible through the collaboration of Cardinal John Dew of Wellington, New Zealand, John Bergin, who serves as liaison and consultant of the United Bible Societies in the Asia-Pacific region, and the Office of Evangelisation of FABC.

Among the bishops and theologians from across the region who contributed to the report are Archbishop Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng of Kuching, Malaysia, Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay in the Philippines and the late Cardinal Cornelius Sim of Brunei.

The Bible is available in both printed and digital versions with an introductory message from Pope Francis.

Archbishop Simon Poh said that this merging of the new media in the world today – print media, Google and Apple apps, QR codes that can be scanned to open links to videos, totally opens up new possibilities for ministry with the young people.

The Archbishop has this message for our readers: “I invite you to download the app Identity: Identified from Google or Play store to your phone.”

In Malaysia, the book will officially be launched on Jan 9, 2023 at the inauguration of St Anne’s Basilica in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. --LiCas News