Catholic publication written from new point of view

The estimated three million African-American Roman Catholics in the United States are the focus of a new scriptural publication. The Good News Bible African American Jubilee Edition was created by the American Bible Society with African-American Catholics in mind and documents the rich tradition of finding hope through faith. This is the first such resource created specifically for Roman Catholic African Americans.

Articles by African-American Catholic scholars chronicle the history of black Catholics, discuss racial reconciliation, and review the evangelization and education of Catholics who are African-American. A wealth of supplemental materials traces African culture, explores the role of Africans in the Bible and their religious experience during times of slavery, and gives a context for revering Scripture's Jubilee tradition. This special edition verifies the history and traditions of Black Catholics and encourages pride and an investigation of their religious roots.

"There is excellent material in this Jubilee Edition that sets the context of the Bible within the Catholic African-American religious experience," says Dr. Eugene Habecker, President, American Bible Society. The Good News Bible Jubilee Edition is ideally suited for devotional Bible Study, Sunday school, group meetings, cultural awareness, heritage celebrations, and multicultural programs.

The Good News Bible Jubilee Edition addresses the biblical understanding of Jubilee (a time detailed in the book of Leviticus when, every 50 years, freedom is declared to captives and property is restored to the original owners or descendants) and the spiritual journey that led African Americans to discover Jubilee.

Articles by African-American Catholic scholars include "Black and Catholic: Elements of African American History," "Racial Reconciliation and the Challenge of Jubilee Justice in the United States" and "Ethiopia Will Stretch Forth Her Arms: The Evangelization and Education of African American Catholics."

The Good News Bible African American Jubilee Edition is available in a green or black padded hardcover for $39.95. To order, visit the ABS Web site at www. jubileebible.org.