175 Years of Bible Work in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A distinguished array of guests representing the religious, cultural, social and political life of Argentina gathered at a theatre in the centre of Buenos Aires recently to celebrate 175 years of established Bible work in the country. As well as numerous church leaders, they included the President of Argentina’s Supreme Court and the Secretary of Culture, Dr Norbert Padilla, who conveyed the greetings of the president to the Bible Society on the anniversary.

Although a distribution of Castilian New Testaments took place as early as 1806, Bible work in Argentina began officially in 1825, the year when the Rev John Armstrong arrived in Buenos Aires as the British and Foreign Bible Society’s first ‘agent’ for South America.

The Bible Society was officially constituted on March 29 1966, since when, in fulfilment of the UBS mission, it has translated the New Testament and Portions of the Bible into many of Argentina’s indigenous languages.

During the celebration, ethnic speakers of languages including Chorote, Mocovi, Pilaga, Toba del Oeste and Toba del Sur read parts of the Gospel of Mark in their respective mother tongues.

The Rt Rev David Leake, Anglican Bishop of Buenos Aires and Vice-President of the Argentine Bible Society, led the prayers, and Dr Arnoldo Canclini, a distinguished historian and former President of the Bible Society, gave a historical review of the work over 125 years.

The Rev Salvador Dellutri, a Bible scholar who is also a well-known radio and television journalist, gave the address. He said the Bible – which was “the foundation of our culture, the basis of our faith and our morality” – had been consigned to the junk shop, “the place for old and unwanted things along with its message and its principles.” This, he was in no doubt, was the reason for society’s present ills.