Catholic Church: Using Aramaic to understand true meaning of scripture

Catholic Church: Using Aramaic to understand true meaning of scripture

In 1943 a Roman Catholic encyclical (circular) issued by the Pope (Pope Pius XII) stressed the need for interpreting Holy Scripture to apply its lessons to then existing conditions. The encyclical emphasized the importance of studying the biblical languages of “Aramaic and Hebrew as a sound basis for understanding sacred Scripture.”

Aramaic was the tongue spoken by Jesus Christ. And in 1971, the Roman Catholic faith placed greater emphasis on the Bible.

The Vatican Ecumenical Council put the Bible in a place of prime importance in the Church. No longer do Roman Catholic biblical experts treat it as though it were factual in every detail. Like their Protestant colleagues, they are investigating the possibility that the Bible expresses ideas rather than clear-cut history. They are digging into Hebrew and Aramaic texts. They are searching for meanings perhaps still hidden.


Taken from: Daily American (Newspaper): Rome, Italy, July 10, 1971.