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I rise in the House today to recognize the Canadian
Bible Society and congratulate them on celebrating 196
years of faithful service to the mission of the Canadian
Bible Society in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, I had the honour of bringing greetings
at their 196th Annual General Meeting here in
St. John’s last week and was joined by my hon.
colleague, the Member for Kilbride. I was very pleased
to personally congratulate them on their newest project,
and that is providing a new revision of the Bible in the
Inuktitut language.
The project was the inspiring work of Reverend Dr.
Bridget Schloss who spent nearly thirty years as a
missionary in Northern Labrador. Her work was made
possible through the translation skills of individuals
on the North Coast and in the Northwest River area who
volunteered their time for this project.
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Bible Society was founded
to promote and encourage, without doctrinal note or
comment, the translation, publication, distribution and
use of the scripture throughout Canada and throughout
the world.
Mr. Speaker, the Bible is available – and I was
amazed to learn this – in 2,400 different languages
around the world, of which twenty-three are now Canadian
Aboriginal languages.
Mr. Speaker, this organization gives scriptures for
free to Canadian Forces recruits, the
visually--impaired, seminary students, prison inmates
and other communities. Mr. Speaker, they are spreading
the word of God and affording people the opportunity to
find comfort in His teachings at the lowest points in
their lives and to celebrate His glory on happier
occasions.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate the
Canadian Bible Society, and in particular the
Newfoundland and Labrador District. I ask all members to
join me in recognizing the truly valuable work that they
do. I am sure, Mr. Speaker, the lives and hearts of the
Inuit-speaking people in our Province will most surely
be transformed by this great work and their great
efforts in producing the Inuktitut Bible. |
