Biblical Scholar's Unexpected Discovery Leads to New, More Faithful Translation of "The Theology of

August 18, 2006 - 12:00 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Norma Vavolizza
NV Communications
212-687-0607
normav@nvcommunications.com

New York, NY, August 18, 2006--The Theology of the Body remains one of John Paul II's greatest gifts to the universal Church. However, official translations could not deliver the work in the form the Pope had intended.

Thanks to the meticulous research of a noted biblical scholar, John Paul II's masterpiece has been newly translated and restored to its original meaning. In a series of essays, the book shows the divine plan for human spousal love and the spousal meaning of the body as proclaimed by Christ.

The new translation is the work of Dr. Michael M. Waldstein , Director of the International Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family in Gaming, Austria. Dr. Waldstein was no stranger to The Theology of the Body. The highly respected doctor of theology and professor had studied and taught its concepts of the spiritual communion of life, love, marriage, and sexuality for 10 years. "I had worked very hard to understand the order of the argument," he remembers. "I thought I had made real progress, but I always wished I could get my hands on a division of the work by John Paul II himself."

The many problems inherent in translating the inspirational lectures the Pope delivered to his General Audience between 1979 and 1984 are well known and frustrating to clergy, scholars, and lay readers alike. Given the circumstances under which these translations occurred, problems were inevitable.

Soon after each catechesis was delivered, it was sent to the English editorial office of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, to be translated by whomever was on duty at the time.

Because the several translators were dealing with individual catecheses, the results were inadvertent omissions, intentional edits, and many inconsistencies. For example, the key concept "spousal meaning of the body" is translated in eight different ways. Subsequent translators could not go back to change earlier text because it had already been published.

Therefore, existing English translations were simply a compilation of these slightly errant Osservatore transcripts. While theologically true and pedagogically helpful, they lacked the coherence originally conceived by John Paul II.

Realizing the compelling need for a new, systematic perspective that considered The Theology of the Body as a whole, Dr. Waldstein was confident that somewhere among John Paul II's papers there had to be an outline he himself used while writing such a large and complex work.

Based on that conviction, Dr. Waldstein decided to delve into the John Paul II archives in Rome's Casa Polacca. Not knowing Polish, he took with him a Polish colleague, Fr. Wojtek Janusiewicz.

The director of the archives said he was not aware that any outline existed. He gave the men folders of documents pertaining to The Theology of the Body, which contained the Italian typescript of the catecheses and some handwritten corrections by John Paul II. Initially, their investigation led to nothing new.

Further probing led to additional folders containing a Polish version of The Theology of the Body, but the archivist explained that the Italian text was the original and the Polish simply a translation. He insisted that they would not find anything that was not in the Italian.

When Dr. Waldstein and his colleague examined the documents, they were astonished to find that the Polish text contained an elaborate system of 219 section and sub-section headings--a crucial element of the work--consisting of some 1,600 words.

After careful consideration, they realized that this evidence proved that the Polish was not a translation from the Italian, but in fact the exact opposite. In their hands, they held an original manuscript of The Theology of the Body that was completely unknown to scholars.

Free Catholic Knowledge Assessment from Catholic Online School

Their conclusion was later confirmed when the scholars managed to track down the religious sister who had typed the original manuscript for Cardinal Karol Wojtyla while he was still in Krakow and before his elevation to Pope. This revelation was further supported by a note in John Paul II's own handwriting, explicitly stating that the structure of the work remained the same when he adapted it for his Wednesday audiences.

Preparing to bring this original text to the English-speaking public, Dr. Waldstein realized the responsibility that lay before him. "As a scripture scholar, my main focus is to study the word of God, and to make it more accessible to people," he explains. "When I began my translation, I was flooded more and more with a great sense of urgency, that this work desperately needed be made available to the Church."

Dr. Waldstein's faith and perseverance, and his dedication to the text have led to the scheduled publication this September of The Theology of the Body: A New Translation Based on the John Paul II Archives.

For this new edition, John Paul II's original system of chapter headings has been translated from Polish for the first time. Dr. Waldstein believes that the headings will provide a substantial help for readers. "That alone would have made it worthwhile to produce a new edition," he explains. "In studying the book, the impression of many people is that you don't know where you are and where you're going. You understand that it's all extremely interesting and profound, but you feel a bit at sea. Restoring the Pope's own structure and headings really breaks open the text. I think the orientation people will feel when they read it is a qualitative leap from what was possible before."

Six additional catecheses printed in the Polish edition are also published for the first time in English. The Pope's trademark use of italics, much of which had been lacking in the first translation or removed by subsequent editors, has been restored. Inconsistencies caused by different translators have been corrected, and sentences have been properly reconstructed.

"The biggest difference my translation provides is the rigor of the Pope's thinking and the clear order of thought throughout the work. The task of the translator is to disappear as much as possible," says Dr. Waldstein. "I wanted to make John Paul II's own words available."

Dr. Waldstein's introduction presents the growth of the Pope's theological and philosophical thinking to explain the root issues of his writing. While clearly articulating its rigorous structure and arguments, Dr. Waldstein also reveres the beauty and poetry of the Pontiff's language. "There are many passages about love that are transparent and hauntingly beautiful," he says.

We're Back - Greatest Meat on Earth

Dr. Waldstein adds that reading The Theology of the Body is like climbing a very high mountain. "It takes a good amount of effort, but you climb up all the time, which means that you reach higher and higher levels. And from the top, the view is breathtaking. The Pope's words can be read by everybody."

In his Foreword, Christopher West, himself an authority on the work, sums up the importance of The Theology of the Body: A New Translation Based on the John Paul II Archives: "It is my sincere hope that this brightly polished edition of John Paul II's revolutionary catechesis inspires a new generation of bishops, priests, theologians, religious educators, and lay enthusiasts to study, live, and proclaim the theology of the body to the world in the new evangelization."

###

Editors: For a review copy of The Theology of the Body and to schedule an interview with Dr. Michael Waldstein, please contact Norma Vavolizza at 212-687-0607 or normav@nvcommunications.com.

Biographical Notes: Dr. Michael M. Waldstein.
Dr. Michael M. Waldstein is Founding President (1996-2006) and now Francis of Assisi Professor of New Testament at the International Theological Institute, Austria. He and his wife, Susan, are members of the Pontifical Council for the Family. After his academic training (B.A. Thomas Aquinas College, California; Ph.D. in Philosophy, University of Dallas; Licentiate in Scripture, Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome; Th.D. in New Testament, Harvard Divinity School) he taught for eight years at the University of Notre Dame where he became Associate Professor of New Testament. Dr. Waldstein and his wife are the parents of eight children.

Contact

NV Communications
http://www.pauline.org
NY, US
Norma Vavolizza - Principal, 212 687-0607

Keywords

Sex

Category

Catholic Publications

Download 100's of Prayers for free

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

We ask you, humbly, to help.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

We Will Pray with You: Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »