Maharashtra, first Bible published in Devanagari Konkani language
The initiative of the Diocese of Sindhudurg is inspired by that of Goa and Daman, who published the first Romi Konkani translation in the language. 8 thousand copies were printed for distribution to villages and cities. The text will renew the spirit of the Christian community in the extraordinary missionary month.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The Diocese of Sindhudurg, in Maharashtra, has presented the first Bible translated into the Konkani language and transcribed into the Devanagari alphabet to the Catholic community.
The sacred text was released last October 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, by the local bishop, Msgr. Allwyn Barreto and by Msgr. Felipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman.
Speaking to AsiaNews Mgr. Barreto joyfully declares that the version of the Bible "was disclosed in the extraordinary missionary month, a time of grace for our diocese".
The translation of the sacred text began in 2014 on the initiative of the bishop and under the direction of the vicar general Fr. Andrew D’Mello. According to the Church, it will be read by tens of thousands of Catholic faithful who speak the Konkani language and live in the States of Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka.
Archbishop Barreto says that the idea of transcribing the religious text in the local language, to enable it to be read and understood by the Christian community, came to him observing the work of the archdiocese of Goa, which translated it into the idiom Romi Konkani . His wish, says Msgr. Barreto, was "that all villagers and towns had a copy of the" Pavitra Pustak "(Bible) to enrich their spiritual life".
According to Msgr. Barreto, "it is important to have the Devanagari text in writing for the extraordinary missionary Month, so that we can evangelize and make pastoral and religious formation through the Holy Bible that is available in the language of our people. We have printed 8 thousand copies, so that every family can have their own text to read, study and live. We will print many more ".
Fr. D’Mello says: “We have spent many tireless hours in the transliteration, composition, proofreading and we are really happy to see the publication of the Devanagari Bible. Our greatest dream of having the Bible in Devanagari Konkani has come true ".
Konkani is an Indian language spoken in India. According to the 2009 edition of Ethnologue, in the country it is spoken by about eight million people living in the Konkan region, the coastal strip that extends from the bay of Mumbai to Mangalore. It is one of the 22 official languages mentioned in the Indian Constitution. The Konkani language in the Devanagari alphabet is the official language of Goa.
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