Introduction from the Rt. Rev’d Peter M. Brignall, Bishop of Wrexham Diocese and lead Bishop of the Biblical Apostolate for England and Wales
Introduction
Some two hundred years before St Jerome, St Hippolytus wrote:
There is, [brethren], one God, the knowledge of whom we gain from the Holy Scriptures…
Whatever things the Holy Scriptures declare, at these let us look;
and whatever they teach, let us learn it;
and as the Father wills our belief to be, let us believe;
and as he wills the Son to be glorified, let us glorify him;
and as he wills the Holy Spirit to be bestowed, let us receive him.
From a treatise by St Hippolytus (c.150-c.236 CE)
For the last five years through the God Who Speaks project we have sought to encourage the Catholics of these countries to deepen their love of the Bible, to learn what it teaches, to believe what we have learnt, to glorify the Father in whom we believe, to do his will as revealed in the Son and by the power of the Spirit within us to witness to him in the world. The time has come to review that work, our aims and ambitions and celebrate what has been achieved.
With the mandate of our Bishops, we want to learn from, and build on all that we have created, collaborate with new partners, and ensure that Scripture is at the heart of our discipleship and the pastoral ministry of our lives and parishes.
Now through the more inclusive and far-reaching Biblical Apostolate we want to serve our dioceses in this journey, to support and resource people of all ages in their faith formation and inspire generations to come.
I encourage all Catholics in England and Wales to deepen their love of the Bible, and to find creative ways to encounter Christ in the Scriptures, that we may witness to the Word in the world. Join with us to share the joy of Christ’s mission and be empowered by the Holy Spirit today – this is the Biblical Apostolate.
And may you be blessed,
+ Peter M. Brignall
The Rt. Rev’d Peter M. Brignall
Bishop of Wrexham Diocese
Chair of the Catholic Trust for England and Wales
Lead Bishop of the Biblical Apostolate for England and Wales
