The Bible is far more than a collection of ancient writings. It is the inspired Word of God, entrusted to humanity as a living testimony to God’s revelation throughout history. At the heart of both Judaism and Christianity, the Scriptures have shaped cultures, inspired countless generations, and continue to speak with remarkable relevance to the challenges and hopes of our own time.
For Christians, the Bible is the foundation of faith, prayer, worship, and discipleship. Through its pages we encounter God’s saving plan, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and discover the invitation to live lives marked by faith, hope, justice, compassion, and love. The Scriptures do not simply recount the past; they continue to illuminate the present and inspire the future. Every generation is called to listen anew to God’s voice, allowing the Word to transform hearts, renew communities, and shape society according to the values of the Gospel.
Promoting the Bible
Promoting the Bible, therefore, is not merely the distribution of a sacred book. It is a mission to foster a deeper encounter with the living God through His Word. It means encouraging individuals, families, parishes, schools, and communities to read, study, pray, and live the Scriptures. A biblical culture enriches the life of the Church and equips believers to engage thoughtfully and faithfully with the realities of the contemporary world.
The Second Vatican Council gave renewed prominence to Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church. In its Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum, the Council reminded us that “easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful” and encouraged every believer to become familiar with the Scriptures through prayerful reading and study. Inspired by this vision, the Church continues to promote what Pope Benedict XVI later described as the Biblical Animation of the Whole of Pastoral Ministry, a pastoral approach in which the Word of God becomes the soul of every aspect of the Church’s life and mission.
Promoting Unity
Sacred Scripture also occupies a unique place in fostering Christian unity. Long before our divisions, the Bible was the common treasure of the one Church. Today, it remains a privileged meeting place where Christians of different traditions can listen together to the voice of God, deepen mutual understanding, and grow in the communion for which Christ prayed. Reading, studying, and praying with the Scriptures together strengthens the bonds between Churches and ecclesial communities and contributes to the ongoing journey towards full visible unity.
The Bible likewise provides a profound bridge between Christians and the Jewish people. Christians receive the Old Testament as the inspired Word of God and recognise the enduring spiritual heritage shared with the people of Israel. Through the Scriptures, we rediscover our common roots, appreciate the richness of the Jewish tradition, and deepen a relationship founded on mutual respect, dialogue, and friendship. As the Second Vatican Council affirmed in Nostra Aetate, this shared heritage invites us to greater understanding and cooperation.
The Word of God continues to shape lives, inspire cultures, and build bridges between peoples. It offers wisdom amid uncertainty, hope in times of suffering, and a vision of peace rooted in justice and reconciliation. In a world often marked by division, conflict, and rapid change, the Bible remains an enduring source of truth and hope, inviting every person to encounter the God who continues to speak today.
The Malta Bible Foundation (MBF) was established by the Bishops of Malta and Gozo in 2021 to continue and strengthen the Church’s mission of promoting Sacred Scripture. Building upon the rich legacy of the Malta Bible Society, which had faithfully carried out this mission since 1958, the Foundation seeks to foster a deeper love for the Word of God and to help every person encounter God through the Scriptures.
Inspired by the vision of the Second Vatican Council, especially the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum, the Foundation works to place the Bible at the heart of the Church’s life and mission. Through the publication of the Bible in Maltese, biblical formation, publications, pastoral initiatives, and collaboration with parishes, educational institutions, and ecclesial organisations, the Foundation strives to make God’s Word accessible to everyone.
The Malta Bible Foundation also seeks to promote dialogue and collaboration with other Christian Churches and ecclesial communities, recognising Sacred Scripture as a shared heritage that strengthens the search for Christian unity. At the same time, it encourages a deeper appreciation of the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, fostering mutual understanding and respect through our common reverence for the Scriptures.
“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe”
The United Bible Societies (UBS) is a global fellowship of Bible Societies working together to ensure that every person has the opportunity to encounter the Word of God in a language and format they can understand and afford. Serving in more than 240 countries and territories, the UBS supports the translation, publication, distribution and engagement with the Scriptures, making the Bible accessible to millions of people throughout the world.
United by a shared commitment to God’s Word, the member Bible Societies collaborate across cultures, languages and Christian traditions, believing that the Scriptures have the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and inspire hope. Their work extends beyond Bible translation and publication to include biblical literacy, pastoral formation, advocacy for access to the Scriptures, and humanitarian initiatives that integrate the message of the Bible with practical care for those in need.
As a member of the United Bible Societies, the Malta Bible Foundation forms part of this worldwide network dedicated to serving the Church and society through Sacred Scripture. This membership enables the Foundation to collaborate with Bible Societies across the globe, share resources and expertise, participate in international projects, and contribute to the common mission of making the Bible known, understood and lived. Through this international partnership, the Malta Bible Foundation reaffirms its commitment to promoting the Word of God in Malta and Gozo while participating in the wider mission of bringing the life-giving message of the Scriptures to people everywhere.
The Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF) is a worldwide network of Catholic organisations committed to promoting Sacred Scripture in the life and mission of the Church. Established in 1969 in response to the vision of the Second Vatican Council, particularly the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum, the Federation brings together biblical centres, dioceses, religious congregations, pastoral institutes and Catholic organisations from every continent. Its mission is to encourage the biblical animation of all pastoral ministry, foster biblical formation, promote Bible translation and publication, and support collaboration among its members.
The Malta Bible Foundation proudly continues the legacy of the Malta Bible Society, which was one of the founding members of the Catholic Biblical Federation. This historic involvement reflects Malta’s longstanding commitment to the promotion of Sacred Scripture within the life of the Church and to international collaboration in biblical ministry.
Today, through its membership in the Catholic Biblical Federation, the Malta Bible Foundation remains actively connected to a global community dedicated to making the Word of God the heart of evangelisation, formation, pastoral ministry and Christian life. This partnership enables the Foundation to share experiences, participate in international initiatives, contribute to biblical scholarship and pastoral practice, and collaborate with organisations across the world in promoting a deeper love for Sacred Scripture.
Board Members of
the Malta Bible Foundation
Rev. Dr Sinclair Bugeja (Chairman)
Rev. George Schembri (General Secretary)
Rev. Peter Ellul (Secretary)
Mr Josef Bonnici (Treasurer)
Rev. Prof. Stefano Attard
Mr Liam Farrugia
Rev. Nikoloz Gongadze
Rev. George-Alexandru Popescu
Academic Board
Rev. Prof. Martin Micallef (Chairman)
Rev. Dr Sinclair Bugeja (Secretary)
Prof. Albert Borg (Maltese Language Consultant)
Prof. Anthony Frendo
Rev. Prof. Paul Sciberras
Rev. Alexander Vella
It is a joy to welcome you to the Maltese Biblical Foundation — a community dedicated to deepening the knowledge, love, and study of Scripture across our islands.
Established in 2021 under the mandate of the Bishops of Malta and Gozo, the Foundation continues the fruitful mission begun in 1958 by the Maltese Biblical Society. As a member of both the Catholic Biblical Federation and the United Bible Societies, our purpose remains clear: to promote biblical study, to strengthen and renew the Maltese translation of the Bible from the original languages, and to ensure that God’s Word remains accessible, engaging, and pastorally relevant for today.
Over the past five years, the Foundation has already taken significant steps forward — from publishing and reprinting the fifth edition of the Maltese Bible, to making both the text and audio version available on YouVersion and Spotify; from distributing Scripture in schools through Gideons International, to offering biblical courses in collaboration with the Pastoral Formation Institute. These milestones reflect our commitment to building solid foundations for the future.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue this mission through new projects: the sixth edition of the Maltese Bible, ongoing translation revisions, an extended study Bible, children’s video resources, youth-oriented biblical tools, and further courses designed to bring Scripture to life for all ages.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. May the Word of God continue to inspire, guide, and transform us as a community of faith.
The Bible is not only a book to be read, but the living Word of God. It continues to speak to every generation and can shape and transform human lives.
The Second Vatican Council reminded the Church that Sacred Scripture must guide theology and pastoral life. Every ministry in the Church begins by listening to God’s voice in the Scriptures.
At the Malta Bible Foundation, we seek to promote a culture in which God’s Word is welcomed, studied, prayed, and lived. We hope that the Bible will be at the heart of family life, parish life, schools, and all pastoral work.
The Bible is also a bridge of unity among Christians, helping us grow in understanding and friendship. It also deepens our respect for the Jewish people and for the shared biblical heritage from which Christianity has grown.
This website is an invitation to discover the beauty of the Bible, to grow in faith, and to join a community centred on Scripture. May the Word of God lead us not only to know the Scriptures more deeply, but also to know Christ and live as faithful disciples.