INDIA Fr. Pottay is the first director of the International Catholic Bible Society from Asia

A member of the Pauline Society and originally from India, he heads the International Catholic Bible Society, based in Madrid, which disseminates the Holy Scriptures and promotes biblical culture. In an interview with MattersIndia He speaks of his commitment to expanding the dissemination of the Bible in various languages ​​and countries, following in the footsteps of Father Alberione.

Rome (/Agencies) – The International Catholic Bible Society (SOBICAIN), founded a century ago by Blessed Giacomo Alberione, has for the first time a director from Asia. Fr. Joseph Pottayil, a member of the India-Britain-Ireland province of the Pauline Society, officially took up the post of director on 1 May 2024. The appointment was announced by Fr. Domenico Solliman, superior general of the Pauline Society, on 16 January.

Fr. Pottayil has a rich career of experience and roles of responsibility within the congregation. He has served as general councillor, vicar general and provincial of India, as well as being director of apostolate and animator of various communities and groups. an interview which was granted to Father Joe Eruppakkatt and was published on the Catholic site MattersIndiareferred to his new appointment to explain its importance, the objectives and projects of SOBICAIN. The society, based in Madrid, is dedicated to the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures and the promotion of biblical culture through publications and educational initiatives. Father Pottayil’s appointment marks a significant moment in the history of SOBICAIN because it reflects the growing diversity and inclusiveness within the Catholic Church and the Pauline Society.

In the interview, the new director explained the priorities of the International Catholic Bible Society. “My first objective,” he said, “is to know the various activities and coordinate with our general government and the various provincial governments to promote the growth and expansion of SOBICAIN.” He explained that there is a great desire in the world to know the Word of God in depth, without excluding any of its parts. “The need and the demand are inexhaustible. That is why I also want to expand the SOBICAIN network to translate, publish and distribute the Holy Bible in many other languages ​​and countries of the world, so that the Word of God can be proclaimed, known and lived by people of all nations and languages,” he said. The interview ends by recalling that the project proposed is the one desired by the founder of SOBICAIN, with his dreams and hopes. The company “will spare no effort to make its vision a reality,” he concluded.