ATC’s Anniversary 65 Marked by Release of Bible & Other Books by Prelates
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Sep 24: A galaxy of prelates of the Catholic Church in India, comprising two cardinals and 20 Archbishops besides a large number of religious priests and sisters and eminent dignitaries, witnessed the 65th anniversary of Bangalore-based publishing house, Asian Trading Corporation (ATC), when the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible in India and Pope Benedict XVI’s book, `The Spirit of the Liturgy’ were released.
The glittering function held at St John’s Medical College auditorium on Thursday September 24 also marked the inauguration of ATCs third branch at St Antony’s Friary here. Significantly, the revised edition of the book, ''Shining Faith in Kandhamal,” dealing with the trials and tribulations of Christians in Orissa by Anto Akkara was also released during the function.
Among the dignitaries who participated in the function were Cardinal Oswald Gracias (Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India - CBCI), Cardinal Telesphore Toppo (Archbishop of Ranchi, Jharkhand), Dr Bernard Moras, (Archbishop of Bangalore), Dr George Punnakottil (Bishop of Kothamangalam and vice-president, CBCI), Dr Albert D’Souza (Archbishop of Agra and secretary general, CBCI), Perceival Fernandes (Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay), Dr Ignatius Pinto (Archbishop Emeritus, Bangalore), Dr Joseph Pathrapankal, CMI (president – Theological Publications in India), Gabriel Mathias, OFM (vice-provincial of the Order of Friars Minor), Dr Lawrence D’Souza (director, St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences) and Irol Pais, representing the family of founder the late Bede Pius when ATC started its activities in the then Bombay city.
Fr Joe Mannath, Salesian priest and director of Don Bosco Renewal Centre in Bangalore, in his introductory remarks put the entire function in perspective by pointing out that, ''Writing matters, whether good or bad." Church media’s presence in India was very weak in comparison with the secular media, he said, pointing out that ATC has played an important role and has published over 1000 books and made books available from abroad as well.
''As religious people, we spend so much on buildings and food. But we spend little to nourish our minds. The education system in the country does not encourage reading. May the habit of reading grow before technology takes over printing and publishing,” he said.
Stressing the importance of reading, quoting incidents in the life of Karl Marx to Groucho Max, Fr Mannath displayed a sheet of paper, a compact disc and finally, a pen drive to highlight the shape of things that may emerge in future and felt that the printed word did not face serious threats in India and Asia if lay organizations like ATC - known for courteous and friendly service - who have been playing a very responsible role in the field of church media were supported.
Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India - CBCI Cardinal Oswald Gracias, in his address after the release of the RSV Bible, said, ''The Word of God (RSV Bible) speaks God’s word for us and the book 'The Spirit of Liturgy’ deepens our worship and strengthens our faith.” ATC has done a great service to the house of formation, pastors and lay Catholics by publishing the Indian version of book, 'The Spirit of Liturgy,’ he said.
''The RSV Bible is an accurate translation and there is hunger and burning desire for the word of God in the hearts of people,” he said commending ATC for obtaining world rights for publishing RSV Bible, except in the UK.
Warmly complimenting the ATC for publishing a wide variety of books over the years, he recalled his visits to ATC even as a Seminarian and said he felt sad to learn that ATC was shifting to Mumbai. ''I am happy to know that God blessed them with a more spacious place in Bangalore as its operations are an Apostolate. May ATC go from 65 to 75 and then on to a 100 years and beyond,” he said.
The Cardinal lauded the efforts and the courage of Anto Akkara in visiting the areas of Christian persecution and meeting the victims in Orissa. The book was for us a moment of sorrow and a moment of grace as it speaks of people who have fearlessly given their lives for God and inspires faith of the people, he said.
Cardinal Telespore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, Jharkhand, said, ''God speaks through various events. Faced with corruption, inequities and other social evils, the world is hungry and thirsty for the word of God. One thing that will change the world is the word of God. We must read and mediate to reap, change and be blessed. ATC has been all these years a chosen instrument of doing the work of God in India and even abroad.”
Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Bernard Moras said, ''It is commendable that RSV is published after 20 years in India. The RSV is the approved Bible for our liturgy in India. ATC should be commended for they have been printing a number of books at affordable prices. The Bible is indeed a great treasure for all of us. It is the fountain and source of spiritual nourishment for man.”
He said that he was happy to learn that the book, ''Jesus of Nazareth –Vol II” written by Pope Benedict VI is to be published by ATC next lent, which would be a rare honour and described ATC as an Ambassador of Ecumenism in India. He expressed great joy that ATC has made a name not only in India but even abroad. He recollected how he was pleasantly surprised to meet Nigel Fernandes at the ATC Bookstall at the First Asian Mission Congress in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where ATC was the only publisher from Asia to be invited.
Nigel Fernandes, MD of ATC formally welcomed the dignitaries and said it was a rare honour for the organisation. He recalled the support received from various quarters of the Church over the past several decades and his happiness on the release of ATC’s own Bible which was a long cherished dream. He also expressed his gratitude to the Franciscans Friars for housing ATC in their premises at the St Anthony’s Friary Churh in Koramangala. He briefly covered ATC’s role in assisting the Church in its Mission through publishing and distribution of Bibles, spiritual reading, treatises and books and through various printed forms.
Redemptorist priest Dr Assisi Saldanha, introduced the merits of RSV Bible, first published in 1901, which is being printed and published by ATC. It is the Revised edition of The King James version first printed in 1611. In 1937, the New Testament was Revised and the entire Bible Revised in 1952. ATC has got the Rights to print the Revised Version in India and the World-wide, except UK. This Bible has not been available in an Indian edition for 20 years now. He traced the birth of the RSV translation, its richness and how it was the Bible that was closest to the original Heberew and Greek texts in meaning
The proceedings were given a prayerful start by Fr Jacob Britto, convener, Bangalore Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services.
Cardinal Gracias, who released the RSV Holy Bible, presented the first copy of the Bible to Denzil Fernandes. A copy each was also given to the Fr Jose Paul, manager of St Paul Publications, Anil Rego, Kailash Rao, ATC Auditor and Dr Thomas D’Souza, senior journalist.
Fr Savio Rodrigues, secretary, Liturgy Commission, CCBI, introduced the Book, ''The Spirit of the Liturgy,” by Pope Benedict XVI, when he was known as Cardinal Ratzinger. He said that it was a rare honour for ATC that the Holy Father himself should personally write a letter and recommend that ATC should publish His book for Asia and also his forthcomoing book, ''Jesus of Nazareth Volume II.” The first copy was presented to Fr Benny Kanjirakatt, director of Claretian Publications.
The book release ceremony was followed by the symbolic inauguration of the new ATC branch by lighting of the lamp by the two Cardinals, Bangalore Archbishop along with Fr Gabriel Mathais and Fr James Kallerken, parish priest of St Anthony’s Friary Church, where the branch is located. The keys to this branch were handed over to Ida Fernandes and blessed by Bangalore Archbishop. The branch would start functioning from the first week of October.
Brenda Fernandes, director of ATC and wife of MD Nigel Fernandes, presented a vote of thanks. The entire proceedings were impressively anchored by Martin Rebeiro.
Copies of the books and Bibles are available at all ATC outlets and other Christian bookshops including ATC Mangalore. Books can also be ordered online at www.atcbooks.in. Overseas buyers can log on to www.alpha.org.in.