MAKING THE BIBLE KNOWN

Wherever there is a genuine hunger for God’s Word, there is also a need for God’s people to take up the work of making the Scriptures accessible to all, whether this is done through efforts in Bible translation, distribution, or engagement.

In the late 1960s, the Philippine Bible Society (PBS) formed a partnership with the Roman Catholic Church through the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). This has led to the production and distribution of many interconfessional Bible translations in different Philippine languages.

This year, the partnership was again affirmed with an invitation for the Philippine Bible Society to take part in the 26th National Bible Workshop organized by the CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate (CBCP-ECBA), the John Paul I Regional Biblical Center in Northern Luzon, and the Diocese of Baguio. Featuring the theme, “Katimpuyogtayo ti Sao: Collab with Love in the Word in the Spirit of Synodality,” the workshop was held from February 2 to 5, 2026 in Baguio City, bringing together around 400 priests, consecrated persons, and lay ministers involved in Bible ministry from the 14 CBCP-ECBA Regional Biblical Centers across the country.

Since 2021, the Catholic Church has focused on the concept of synodality, officially defined as “a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that enables the Church to be more participatory and missionary, so that it can walk with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ.” Throughout the workshop, the attendees discussed various ways to live out the Word of God and bring it closer to others in their respective ministries. 

General Secretary Laura Valledo, accompanied by members of the PBS Management Committee, United Bible Societies Global Translation Consultant Dr. Edgar Ebojo, and other PBS staff, served as representatives of the Bible Society in the workshop. Current and former members of the PBS Board of Trustees representing the Roman Catholic Church were also in attendance, including now-President and Chairman of the Board Rev. Fr. Arlo Bernardo Yap, Rev. Fr. Oscar Alunday, Most Rev. Renato Mayugba, Mr. Karlo Lara, and Ms. Ursulina Tang.

During the first two days, Ms. Valledo introduced the PBS ministry to the attendees. Supported by Fr. Yap and Fr. Alunday, Ms. Valledo spoke about the longstanding partnership between the Philippine Bible Society and the Roman Catholic Church as well as their shared Scripture translation, distribution, and engagement programs. One of these programs was the May They Be One Bible campaign that helped bring more than three million copies of the Scriptures to Filipino families. Afterwards, each of the ECBA bishops were presented with a copy of the Bible from PBS.

In his keynote address, CBCP-ECBA Chairman Most Rev. Bartolome Santos Jr., D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Iba and a member of the PBS Board of Trustees since April 2026, highlighted the opening verses of the Gospel of John and the 1st Letter of John. He said that the Word is the basis of synodality, and even challenged the attendees with the opening verses of 1st John:

“Can you now write these words yourselves because you have made them your own?” 

Bishop Santos spoke about the need for continuing translations of the Bible due to the evolving nature of language. Citing Pope Leo XIV, he said that the Word of God is not “fossilized.” He added that God’s Word is not static but dynamic, and that the Church continues to understand what God’s Word says and what it asks to do with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The Philippine Bible Society cherishes the partnerships it has formed—not only with the CBCP-ECBA, but also with the other faith councils in the Philippines and the independent churches—in its efforts to make God’s Word known. Beyond just being read and memorized, we pray that God’s Word will continue to be a source of life, strength, and hope for all Filipinos as they walk with God and with one another.