The New American Bible

In 1970, the New American Bible (NAB) was first published. It is an English Bible translation that was produced by members of the Catholic Biblical Association of America in cooperation with the United States Catholic Conference. The original languages were translated into English by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine according to the principles of Vatican II for use in the liturgy.

Second version

In 1986 some traditionally familiar phraseology was restored to the New Testament. This included some inclusive language oft rejected by the Holy See.

Third version

In 1991 it was again amended to create more inclusive language in the New Testament and in the Psalms. The Holy See rejected it as the basis of the revised Lectionary for the United States Roman Catholic Church because of its use of vertical inclusive language (God and Christ) and some uses of horizontal inclusive language (human beings instead of men).

Fourth version

In 2000 the 1991 New American Bible with Psalms and revised New Testament was modified by a committee of the Holy See and the Bishops for use in the Latin-Rite Catholic liturgy. This is the current text of the Lectionaires of the United States Catholic Church. The Holy See tolerated some use of inclusive language, such as where the speaker intended to address a mixed audience (such as “brothers and sisters”), but rejected the changes relating to God or Christ. Additionally, the Church rejected substituting inclusive language for the word “man” in cases where it carried theological and anthropological significance (Psalm 1:1, referring to Adam and Christ).

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