A Recognition of Struggle and Faith
Last July 18, the president of the Evangelical Biblical Institution of Catalonia, Noemí Cortès, received the 11th Cassià Just Memorial, an award that recognizes the contribution of this institution over the years. This award, given by the General Directorate of Religious Affairs of the Generalitat of Catalonia, celebrates the work of the organization, created in 1966, to make the Bible in Catalan accessible to society.
Honoring the Pioneers of the Faith
Upon receiving this recognition, Cortès emphasized that the award is a tribute to the figures who founded the Institution during the difficult times of the Franco dictatorship. His motivation was clear: to allow the Catalan evangelical people to live their faith in their language, an effort that has endured thanks to the support of many collaborators who have contributed over the years.
A Musical and Literary Legacy
The Institution has not only been responsible for the translation of the Bible, but has also played a fundamental role in the creation of a hymnal in Catalan. The publication of ‘Cants de Glòria’ began before its formal foundation, with the first publication of hymns in 1965. This hymnal has grown to include 274 songs, becoming a key part of the evangelical celebration.
The Revitalization of the Evangelical Voice
In addition to music, the Institution has kept its voice alive through the magazine ‘Presencia Evangèlica’, which appeared in 1968 and continues to be published quarterly. This medium has been fundamental in spreading evangelical values and beliefs within Catalan society.
The Bible as a Cultural Pillar
Cortes emphasized the importance of having the Bible available in the mother tongue. The translation of the Bible into Catalan, culminating in the ‘2000 Bible’, has been a collective effort that not only serves evangelicals, but also offers a rich cultural option for those interested in religious literature. Access to various translations is essential for the personal and cultural enrichment of society.
Current and Future Projects
Currently, the Institution is immersed in several innovative projects, such as ‘lloe.cat’, which seeks to modernize gospel music. In addition, they continue to work on interlinear translations of Hebrew-Catalan texts and research on the history of evangelical cemeteries.
Commitment to Diversity and Equality
The Institution also seeks to foster interreligious relations and promote gender equality, highlighting the role of women in the evangelical world, an aspect that has often been forgotten in other denominations. Following biblical teachings, the Institution claims that we are all equal before God, a message of solidarity and inclusion that resonates strongly today.
