The Catholic Biblical
Association of
America
Vatican Norms
Below are the Vatican norms for the translation of biblical texts for use in the
liturgy presented to U.S. bishops by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger earlier this
year, as published in the National Catholic Reporter on July 4, 1997.
1. The church must always seek to convey accurately in translation the texts she
has inherited from the biblical, liturgical and patristic tradition and instruct the
faithful in their proper meaning
2. The first principle with respect to biblical texts is that of fidelity, maximum
possible fidelity to the words of the text. Biblical translations should be faithful to
the original language used by the human author in order to be understood by his
intended reader. Every concept in the original text should be translated in its
context. Above all, translations must be faithful to the sense of sacred Scripture
understood as a unity and totality, which finds its center in Christ. the Son of God
Incarnate (cf. D.V. 111 and IV), as confessed in the creeds of the church.
3. The translation of Scripture should faithfully reflect the Word of God in the
original human languages. It must be listened to in its time-conditioned, at times
even inelegant, mode of human expression without "correction" or "improvement"
in service of modern sensitivities.
a) In liturgical translations or readings where the text is very uncertain or in which
the meaning is very much disputed, the translation should be made with due regard
to the Neo-Vulgate.
b) If explanations are deemed to be pastorally necessary or appropriate, they should be given in additional notes, commentaries, homilies, etc.
4/1. The natural gender of personae in the Bible, including the human author of
various texts where evident, must not be changed insofar as this is possible in the
receptor language.
4/2. The grammatical gender of God, pagan deities, and angels and demons
according to the original texts must not be changed insofar as this is possible in the
receptor language.
4/3. In fidelity to the inspired Word of God, the traditional biblical usage for
naming the persons of the Trinity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is to be retained.
4/4. Similarly, in keeping with the church's tradition, the feminine and neuter
pronouns are not to be used to refer to the person of the Holy Spirit.
4/5. There shall be no systematic substitution of the masculine pronoun or
possessive adjective to refer to God in correspondence to the original text.
4/6. Kinship terms that are clearly gender specific, as indicated by the context,
should be respected in translation.
5. Grammatical number and person of the original texts ordinarily should be maintained.