While referring to the very interesting article ‘Translating the Holy Bible into Maltese’ by Lino Bugeja (The Sunday Times of Malta, August 9), I feel obliged to add further credit to the Rev. Prof. Peter Paul Saydon, who co-founded the Għaqda Biblika Maltija (Malta Bible Society) with Mgr Karm Sant in 1958.
Saydon and Sant had been appointed its first president and secretary respectively by fellow biblical scholars, including Rev. Anton Abela, Rev. Joachim Schembri, Rev. Donat Spiteri and Rev. Egidio Mizzi.
Saydon’s translation of the Bible in one book created the platform for the Malta Bible Society to work upon. This translation of the Scripture had been consequently revised and written into a more readable version, while remaining faithful to the original Word of God. The society will be turning 60 in three years’ time and during these years it has published four editions of the Bible, the last one in the new Maltese orthography.
The article by Bugeja makes reference to initiatives taken by foreign Bible societies, and incidentally, after 135 years it had to be once again a foreign entity, this time the United Bible Societies (UK) – with whom MBS has been affiliated since 1984 – that made Bible mission work in Malta possible, through its continuous encouragement, financial support and expertise.
Following the global financial crisis of recent years, these grants and loans came to a halt and MBS has been asked to devise ways and means to generate enough income for its own survival. Unfortunately, Maltese Christian leaders are not appreciative enough of the indispensable and loyal service rendered over the years by MBS to Maltese society at large.
The limited source of support of MBS is obtained from members’ subscriptions and donations, income from publications related to the Holy Books and Bible courses.
It would be indeed a sad day and a shame for Malta if the local society had to close, and presently it is close to that. As we are all aware, the name of Malta is mentioned in the Bible (The Acts) and retained as God’s Divine plan for the islanders’ conversion to Christianity.
In my modest interpretation, if this had to happen, I would find such an action to be highly irreverent and a very unappreciative gesture towards the Lord.
MBS is, however, committed to its mission and vision and determined to carry on. It is actively considering a reprint of the fourth edition Bible for the next scholastic year and work on a Bible with Study Notes is progressing.
It is also keeping in sight the fact that Valletta will be the European Capital of Culture in 2018 to mount a high-level Bible exhibition, besides other smaller projects.