Bhopal Archdiocese in central India has launched a project to ensure all its faithful have a personal copy of the Bible to embolden them to give “daily witness” in the Hindu dominated area.

Under the “Bible 4 U” program, Bhopal Archdiocese plans to supply a Hindi version of the New Testament to all its 15,000 Catholics, and the complete Bible to every Catholic family.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal told ucanews.com that distribution would be completed this month.

The Bibles are free, but those willing to make contributions can do so, he said.

People “live in a very hostile environment coupled with the daily influences of materialism.” Reading the Bible every day would help people give witness in their lives, the archbishop said.

Christian people in Bhopal have suffered over 150 violent attacks against them and their institutions since the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party came to power seven years ago.

Christians form less than one percent of the some 60 million people in Madhya Pradesh. Hindus make up the majority.

“To lead a pious life in such a hostile environment, we have to take inspiration from the Bible, failing which the faithful can drift away from the herd,” Archbishop Cornelio said.

Father Francis Scaria, who is overseeing the project, said the Hindi version of the complete Bible would cost the archdiocese 100 rupees (US$2.22). He said the 12,000 copies of the New Testament will cost 10 rupees a copy.

Bhopal archdiocese has some 2,500 Catholic families but nearly 1,800 already have the complete Bible.

The rest would get their copies soon, he said.

The archdiocese will also organize Bible-based competitions to spread its messages, he said.

“Unless we live focused on the Bible, it will be impossible for us to spread it,” the priest said.

Related reports
Archbishop launches Hindi Bible website
Catholic puts first audio Urdu Bible online

IC10320.1609