Biblia Tetun - a great achievement for the Catholics in Timor Leste

By Fr. Manuel Fraile

Dili, Timor Leste, 24 December 2020 -- On 8 December, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020, the Biblia Tetun (Old Testament) was officially launched by the Archbishop of Dili, Virgilio Do Carmo da Silva, SDB in the Dili Cathedral. We are glad to be able to share this story of Salesian translation:

"It’s been God’s exclusive job for His people in this young little nation: with poor human means of his choice, following His unpredictable time-table, appearing at His own gracious time, after long delay and expectation.

It all began some ten years ago, elsewhere in Venilale, just to fill in free time. Then, slowly, always in free time. It went ahead amidst countless challenges and shortcomings, with the precious help of our young Salesians at our Post-Novitiate. The last decisive factor was the “urging” request of our Salesian Bishop, Mons. Virgilio do Carmo, SDB, following his motto Caritas Christi urget nos. Thus, he and his council decided to officially launch it on last December 8 this year, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Diocese of Dili (it is an Archdiocese now).

Our translator with editors, led by Fr. Manuel Fraile, SDB, did his best to finish the hard work on time and our Salesian Media Centre managed by Fr. Gui do Carmo (TLS provincial economer) had it printed in Indonesia and delivered it on time.

At the end, we Salesians of Timor Leste Vice-Province feel “humbly proud” to offer this small contribution to the Church’s mission of evangelization in this land.

All for God’s greater glory!"

Editor's note:

For the past 20 years the Tetun edition of the New Testament (Lia Fuan Diak) translated since the pioneer times by a Filipino Salesian missionary, Fr Rolando Fernandez has been in extensive use around Timor leste.

• Catholic version of Bible in Tetun
• Protestant version of Bible in Tetun (Dili) available in the Google Play Store (2019)

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