wfn.org | Bishop Vaxby joins service for new Swedish Bible

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Dec. 2, 1999  News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-71B{651}

By United Methodist News Service*

United Methodist Bishop Hans Vaxby was among the participants at an advent
service introducing a new official Bible translation at the cathedral in
Uppsala, Sweden.

Vaxby is based in Finland and presides over Northern Europe. He joined the
resident archbishop, K.G. Hammer, and a Roman Catholic cardinal, among
others, at the Nov. 28 event, which was broadcast over Swedish television.
Also attending were Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, as well
as representatives of the diplomatic corps. 

The new translation, "Bible 2000," is the third official translation -
meaning it was approved by the King -- for use in churches throughout
Sweden. The first Bible in the Swedish language was printed in 1541 and the
second translation was introduced in 1917.

More than 100 scholars have worked on the new translation since 1973. The
government has decided that royalties from sales of the Bible will be used
to promote its use and study.

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*Arne-Jacob Kristoffersen, a UMNS correspondent in Sweden, provided
information for this story.

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United Methodist News Service
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