The Catholic Youth Bible: New Revised Standard Version : Catholic Edition

As I searched for a Bible for teenagers who are Catholic and African American, I read an excerpt from your Bible and was shamefully embarrassed by what I have read. We do not deny our culture or change our appearance to fit into an Anglo culture because we have a sense of where the Biblical Stories are taking place and we are aware of how the Eurocentric images do not reflect the historical setting. We are aware how our history is not recorded this means that others deny our history, not us. To understand black Catholics, I would suggest you read the Bible and the History of Black Catholics. I would encourage you to read where the Wife of Moses, Phillip the Ethiopian, Saint Augustine, Saint Monica, Saint Antony of Egypt, and others are from. This is our story. Someone possibly of an Anglo culture changed the scripture you are referencing to write "you are black but beautiful." Apart from the black celebrities, who may change their appearance to look like their white counterparts this is not a measurable norm within our community. Contrary to what you have written, popular American culture injects collagen into their lips to make them fuller and/or visits tanning salons to change their color. Does the decision to avoid the heritage of Africans who have contributed to the church mean that we deny our culture? Or do the current practices engaged to change appearance mean that Anglo Americans are tempted to deny their heritage, forget their roots, or envy the African American Culture? We are aware of how are history is not recorded, we are not trying to adopt an Anglo culture. This distorted view should not have been written, printed, and distributed in a book called the Catholic Youth Bible. Unquestionably, we know Black is Beautiful, we are aware of how others depreciated our human dignity, considered us 3/5 of a person, and attempted to eradicate our history but praying people of African decent knew innately that we are created in the image and likeness of God and worked for change. It is the perpetuations of these types of erroneous teachings that serve only to divide, not unify. I recommend you revisit then change what you have written on page 7. From the Bible, our family, the mirror, our church, and our community there is a positive black awareness. We are made in the image and likeness of God, we are graced by a color chosen by God with a heritage authored by God; therefore, we appreciate the beauty of blackness. We are Catholic and I will not buy this book and encourage others to avoid this purchase.

This Bible has some great features. But the physical quality of the book is poor. As a new Epsicopalian looking for a " Catholic" Bible, this was very helpful. I appreciated all the extra features which explain Church traditions in relation to Scripture. But it is useless if one wants to mark one's Bible with pen or marker.

This bible is wonderful for teaching teens in religious education class. I like the descriptions and prayers that are part of this bible. I would highly recommend this bible to anyone for teens and younger.

This bible is wonderful. It provides thought provoking sidebars to the readings, suggested bible study programs, and is very easy to work with. A great resource for RCIA classes.

It is the perfect bible for teenagers. Teenagers now a days have a lot of questions about the contents of the bible & this bible comes with the answers! With historical notes & fun facts inserted, this bible makes it fun to read it!