March 1, 2025
On February 25, an important milestone in biblical translation was reached with the presentation of the Ecumenical Literary Translation (TLE) of the New Testament. The event took place at the Waldensian Church in Piazza Cavour, Rome. It was attended by representatives from various Christian traditions signifying a powerful moment of unity in faith and Scripture.
The translation – coordinated by the Bible Society in Italy, supported by the United Bible Societies, and published by Elledici – represents the joint efforts of 18 Christian traditions. This is a historic publication because, for the first time, it brought together representatives from so many Christian denominations in Italy to work together for a new translation of the New Testament. The ecumenical text does not replace the readings in liturgy but will be used alongside the liturgical texts to strengthen Bible engagement and deepen the faith.
A Testament to Collaboration
The event audience included Pentecostal, Adventist, Baptist, and Lutheran pastors, along with Catholic and Orthodox clergy, Salvation Army, professors from both Pontifical and Waldensian universities, and laypeople from diverse backgrounds. This diverse assembly reflected the spirit of the translation itself—an effort rooted in ecumenism and a shared passion for making God’s Word more accessible to all. Also in attendance were three UBS Global Mission Team members—Director of Church Relations, Rosalee Velloso Ewell; Head of Member Relations for Europe, George Sochos; and, Lénart de Regt, UBS Global Translation Consultant and French Translation Resources Manager.
Coordinated by Professor Daniele Garrone, President of the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy, the evening saw contributions from key religious leaders. Video greetings were shared by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, and messages were read from Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, former President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, addressed the gathering in person, highlighting the Bible’s role as “a lamp that illuminates and a mirror in which everyone can look at themselves” in an increasingly divided world. Bishop Dionysios Papavasileiou, representing the Ecumenical Patriarch, also gave a vibrant message of fraternity. Lénart de Regt addressed the audience on behalf of UBS.
Don Luca Mazzinghi, Professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University and President of the Bible Society in Italy, provided insights into the translation’s development, tracing its journey from inception to completion. Unlike previous Italian translations, he emphasised that this version does not belong to any single denomination but stands as a collective effort, a “sign of fraternity, unity, and peace.”
Following the event, Rosalee Velloso Ewell, UBS Director of Church Relations, declared:
“The launch of this ecumenical New Testament is such a powerful testimony to God’s love for all the churches in Italy and of the churches’ commitment to the Bible Society in Italy. This historic event brought together representatives from nearly all denominations in the country — different church leaders celebrating a new translation that speaks to all Italians in today’s language. It was especially beautiful to see the smiles on the faces of those present when portions of the Lord’s Prayer were read from this new translation. It is my prayer that this volume becomes a key instrument for the churches as they seek to deepen Bible engagement across the whole of Italy.”
The Value of a New Translation
Deacon Alessandra Trotta, Moderator of the Waldensian National Board, addressed the question regarding the necessity of this new translation by describing the project as a labour of love, driven by the desire to make the biblical text “increasingly communicative” and relevant to contemporary readers. The TLE seeks to balance literary refinement with faithfulness to the original text, ensuring that it serves as both a scholarly resource and a spiritual guide.
During the event, Mario Cignoni, General Secretary of the Bible Society in Italy and coordinator of the translation, explained the technical characteristics of the TLE and placed it in the history of Italian translations. He explained that the TLE follows the principle of formal equivalence, adhering closely to the Greek Novum Testamentum Graece while also considering textual variants. This careful approach ensures that the translation remains faithful to the original text while being accessible and engaging for modern readers.
A Gift for Present and Future Generations
The TLE is more than just a new version of the New Testament—it is a symbol of Christian unity and a shared commitment to making Christ known to future generations.
The launch was also used to mark the official retirement of Mario Cignoni. The event concluded with a moment of celebration as Cignoni was named honorary President of the Bible Society in Italy, recognizing his invaluable contributions to this historic project. Before the launch, the UBS delegation met with the Board of BSI to discuss this transition period that follows Cignoni’s retirement and the appointment of an interim General Secretary.
The Bible Society in Italy thanks the Fellowship for your prayers and asks for continued intercession as it transitions to a new era of its leadership, makes plans for greater growth of its ecumenical relations, and develops programmes and resources that impact all of Italian society with the word of God.
Some of the news coverage for this event include:
