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The 2027 Revolution: 5 Shocking Facts About The New 'Catholic American Bible' Replacing The NABRE

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The "United States Bishops Bible" is a term commonly used by American Catholics to refer to the official translation of Sacred Scripture published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which is currently the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE). However, as of late December 2025, the most significant and pressing news for anyone using this translation is the impending, massive liturgical shift: the USCCB has approved a new, revised text for the Lectionary for Mass, often being called the "Catholic American Bible" (CAB), which is slated to replace the NABRE in all U.S. dioceses beginning in 2027. This transition represents the culmination of decades of work and a major change in the English-language liturgy that will affect every Catholic Mass in the country. The NABRE, which itself was the result of a 2011 revision to the original New American Bible (NAB) first published in 1970, has long been the standard for both personal study and public proclamation in the United States. This new revision, driven by a global mandate for greater fidelity to the original languages and liturgical precision, signals the end of the NABRE’s reign as the sole source for Mass readings and introduces a new era of biblical translation guided by the principles of "formal equivalence."

The Official Biography of the United States Bishops Bible (NAB/NABRE)

The history of the Bible translation sponsored by the US Catholic Bishops is a long and complex one, overseen by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), the entity that holds the copyright to the text. The translation has gone through several key phases, each reflecting the best of contemporary Biblical scholarship and the evolving needs of the Church.

  • Official Name: New American Bible (NAB), followed by the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE).
  • Sponsoring Entity: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) via the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD).
  • Original Publication Date: The first complete New American Bible (NAB) was published in 1970.
  • Key Revisions:
    • 1986: A significant revision of the New Testament was completed.
    • 2011: The New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) was released. This edition included a fully revised Old Testament (the first new translation in over 40 years) and retained the 1986 New Testament.
  • Liturgical Use: The Lectionary for Mass currently used in the Dioceses of the United States is based on an adaptation of the NAB, primarily using the 1970 Old Testament and the 1986 New Testament, but this is the text that is now being replaced.
  • Translation Philosophy: The NABRE is generally considered a "formal equivalent" translation, meaning it attempts to translate the words and structure of the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts as closely as possible, though previous versions had elements of "dynamic equivalence."

5 Crucial Facts About the New 2027 Catholic American Bible

The most significant and current development is the USCCB’s approval of a new, comprehensive translation of Sacred Scripture for liturgical use. While the final commercial name for the personal Bible is still pending, the text is frequently referred to as the "Catholic American Bible" (CAB), and its impact will be immediate and profound on the way Catholics worship.

1. The Core Reason is a Vatican Mandate for Precision

The push for this new translation is not a local initiative but a response to the Holy See’s 2001 instruction, Liturgiam Authenticam. This document laid out strict guidelines for liturgical translations, demanding a greater adherence to the principle of formal equivalence, or "word-for-word" accuracy, over the more thematic or "sense-for-sense" dynamic equivalence. The instruction requires that the language of the liturgy be closer to the original biblical languages and the Latin typical editions, such as the Nova Vulgata (New Vulgate). The new text is a direct effort to meet these demanding standards, ensuring that the words proclaimed at Mass are as faithful as possible to the original texts.

2. The New Testament is Finally Being Fully Revised

A key point of contention and a major driver for the 2027 change is the New Testament. While the NABRE featured a completely new Old Testament in 2011, it controversially retained the 1986 revision of the New Testament. The new Catholic American Bible text finally incorporates a full and long-awaited revision of the New Testament, completing the decades-long project of creating a unified, updated translation from the original biblical languages. This revision is expected to address many of the textual and stylistic criticisms leveled against the 1986 version, particularly regarding its suitability for public proclamation.

3. Expect Concrete Changes to Familiar Phrases

The shift to a more formal translation philosophy means that Catholics will hear subtle, yet noticeable, changes in the Mass Readings. One concrete example cited by bishops is the decision to revert to the original names of ancient coins in the text, rather than using modern equivalents. Furthermore, the new translation is expected to restore some traditional liturgical phrases that were altered in previous NAB versions. These changes are intended to enhance the solemnity and theological precision of the public reading of Sacred Scripture, making the text more suitable for the Liturgy of the Hours (LOTH) as well as the Mass.

4. The 2027 Implementation is a Hard Deadline

The transition to the new Lectionary is a massive undertaking, requiring the printing and distribution of millions of new liturgical books across all parishes in the Dioceses of the United States. The USCCB has announced a target implementation date of 2027. This transition will be phased, but the final goal is for the entire Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. to be using the new text, ensuring uniformity and adherence to the Vatican’s directives. This is an enormous logistical and financial effort, underscoring the importance the bishops place on the precision of the biblical text used in the liturgy.

5. The NABRE Will Still Be Available for Personal Study

It is important to understand that the new "Catholic American Bible" text is primarily a liturgical Bible—the text used for the Lectionary for Mass. While the USCCB intends to publish a complete personal Bible using this new text, the existing New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) will not disappear overnight. The NABRE, with its extensive and scholarly footnotes, will likely remain a popular and approved translation for personal reading and academic study. The new liturgical text focuses on the scriptural passages proclaimed during Mass, ensuring their accuracy, while the NABRE continues to serve as a valuable resource for deeper, non-liturgical engagement with the entire canon.

The Future of Catholic Bible Translation in America

The approval of the new liturgical text is a landmark moment in the history of Catholic Bible translation in the United States. It marks the most significant change to the Lectionary for Mass since its last major revision and is a clear indicator of the USCCB's commitment to the principles of Liturgiam Authenticam.

As the 2027 deadline approaches, the focus for biblical scholars, liturgists, and publishers turns to the meticulous work of preparing the final texts and educating the faithful on the impending changes. The new translation promises a more reverent and textually precise experience of the Mass readings, grounding the American Catholic liturgy more firmly in the ancient sources of Sacred Scripture. For the faithful, this transition offers a fresh opportunity to engage with the Word of God, understanding that every word proclaimed has been painstakingly reviewed and approved to reflect the highest standards of Biblical Scholarship and fidelity to the original languages.

The 2027 Revolution: 5 Shocking Facts About the New 'Catholic American Bible' Replacing the NABRE
united states bishops bible
united states bishops bible

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