New Croatian Catholic Bible translation published

(Photo: Mate Kovačević/Verbum/Hina)

ZAGREB, 5 December 2025 (Hina) – A new Croatian Catholic translation of the Bible has been released, the result of more than twenty years of dedicated scholarly work.

The project was jointly published by the Croatian Bible Society in Zagreb, Verbum in Split, and Naša ognjišta from Tomislavgrad.

Edited by respected biblical scholars Božo Lujić and Mato Zovkić, the new edition aims to offer a text that is both faithful to the original languages and accessible to today’s readers.

In his preface, Archbishop Dražen Kutleša, President of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference, writes that the translation seeks to provide a clear and reliable guide for people searching for spirituality and meaning amid the uncertainties of modern life.

According to the publishers, the new Croatian Catholic Bible is the first complete edition translated directly from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. It carries official approval from both the Croatian Bishops’ Conference (HBK) and the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BK BiH).

Particular attention has been given to clarity and readability. Each biblical book is introduced with a short overview to help readers understand the text and encourage further reading.

Notes throughout the edition explain less familiar biblical terms, measurements, and expressions, making the Bible suitable for personal study, prayer, and use in study groups.

The layout has been designed to be clean and easy to navigate.

The first edition has been printed as a limited run on fine Bible paper and bound in high-quality cloth, complete with stitched edges.

Its visual design features stylised olive branches framing the title in the shape of the Croatian geographical outline, symbolising the nationwide collaboration of scholars involved in this significant religious and cultural undertaking.

(Photo: Mate Kovačević/Verbum)

Božo Lujić oversaw the Hebrew and Aramaic texts, while Mato Zovkić edited the Greek books. Hebrew review was carried out by Kotel Dadon, and Croatian language refinement was provided by Marko Alerić and Boris Beck.

The translation team includes Danijel Berković, Niko Bilić, Mario Cifrak, Ivan Dugandžić, Mladen Horvat, Anđela Jeličić, Stipe Jurić, Stipo Kljaić, Goran Kühner, Božo Lujić, Angelo Maly, Vinko Mamić, Dragutin Matak, Davorin Peterlin, Domagoj Runje, Ivan Šporčić, Darko Tepert, Darko Tomašević, Dubravko Turalija, Bruna Velčić, Marinko Vidović, Karlo Višaticki, and Mato Zovkić.