"Nowadays, the Bible has powerfully made its appearance in the households of many Christians; pity it often remains in the shadows". This is the result of the survey, "The promotion of the Bible, a shared commitment of Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants", that was presented in Rome today, organised by Società biblica universale (Abu) through the National Biblical societies of Italy, Spain and France. This survey marks the end of a three-year plan started in 2001 by Abu to investigate the attitude that the Catholics of these three countries have towards the Bible and their interest in supporting plans for the spreading of the Bible in their countries and abroad. "The Bible is read by 55 per cent of French people, 52 of Spanish people and 42 of Italians". Italians are at the tail end, in terms of personal reading. But they make up for it in terms of group readings: "the French are still top of the list (21 per cent), followed by the Italians (17) and the Spanish (12). Considering that reading itself is disappearing everywhere, the Bible is still widely read, although relatively slightly so". The sermon remains the main form of mediation for the Bible. Among the "most useful practices to feed faith”, the Bible is suggested by just about 29 per cent of Spanish people, 23 of Italians and 13 of French people. The most "useful" one remains the sermon, according to 45 per cent of French people and 41 of Italians and Spanish. (to be continued)
