In the 16th century the need for a reliable English translation of the Bible was made urgent by the circulation in England of faulty translations, produced in a spirit of opposition to many doctrines of the Catholic Church. This work was begun at the English College, Douai, Flanders. The college was subsequently moved to Rheims, where the translation of the New Testament was completed and published; hence it is called the "Rheims Testament." The translation of the Old Testament was published several years later, after the college had returned to Douai. The greater part was translated by Gregory Martin; his text was revised by Thomas Worthington, Richard Bristowe, John Reynolds, and Cardinal Allen. The translation was made directly from the Latin Vulgate, carefully compared with the Hebrew and Greek texts. It aimed at accuracy rather than beauty of style, and was, therefore, somewhat stilted and abounded in Latinisms. In the 18th century it was revised by Bishop Challoner, who introduced extensive changes. His revision of the Douay Version is the Bible now commonly used by Catholics in English-speaking countries.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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