Thursday, August 21, 2025

Msgr. José C. Abriol: Pioneering Translator of the Catholic Bible from Hebrew & Greek into Tagalog and Church Luminary

Early Life & Priestly Ministry

 

Msgr. José C. Abriol: Pioneering Translator of the Catholic Bible from Hebrew & Greek into Tagalog and Church Luminary

Introduction

Rev. Monsignor José C. Abriol (1918–2003) remains a towering figure in the Philippine Church—as a visionary linguist, pastor, and translator. He made history by translating the Catholic Bible directly from the original Hebrew and Greek into Tagalog, marking a watershed moment in Filipino religious literature. Beyond that, his eighty years of priestly service enriched countless communities and institutions in the Archdiocese of Manila.

 

 

Early Life & Priestly Ministry

Rector, Chancellor & Vicar General

  • From 1962 to 1975, he served as Rector of the Manila Cathedral and concurrently as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Manila manilacathedral.com.phWikipedia.

  • He held the position of Vicar General from 1965 until his passing in 2003, shelving nearly four decades of leadership manilacathedral.com.phWikipedia.

  • Later, he also served as Parish Priest at the Quiapo Basilica (1976–1993) and contributed to preserving church heritage through the Archdiocesan Commission for Patrimony (1993–1999) manilacathedral.com.phWikipedia.

Master Linguist & Translator

Legacy & Reception

  • The 1962 second edition of Ang Banal na Biblia, published by the Daughters of St. Paul, expedited access to Scripture for Filipino readers and missionaries alike. Language experts have lauded its clarity and accessibility repository.mainlib.upd.edu.ph.

  • Online communities note that his translation—often referred to simply as the Abriol Bible—was formal and term-rich, incorporating traditional church vocabulary (e.g. binyag, pari, Verbo, Aba, puspos ka ng grasya) and was once the basis of the Tagalog Lectionary before being supplanted by Magandang Balita Biblia Reddit.

Awards & Global Recognition

  • In 2003, just months before he passed away, the International Biographical Centre (IBC) in England named him as one of the “2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century”, making him the first—but still only—Filipino to receive this distinction manilacathedral.com.phfirstfilipino.blogspot.com.

  • Locally, he received:

    • Bukas Palad Award (1999) from Ateneo de Manila University

    • Outstanding Manilan Award (2000) from the City of Manila

    • Gawad Pagkilala (2000) from the National Language Institute (now Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino) manilacathedral.com.phWikipedia.

Final Years & Passing

  • Monsignor Abriol passed away on July 6, 2003, due to cardiac arrest, at the age of 85 Wikipedia.

  • His wake was held at the Archbishopric of Manila, and Cardinal Jaime Sin led the Requiem Mass at Manila Cathedral. He was laid to rest at La Loma Cemetery Wikipedia.

Why His Work Matters

  • As the first to translate the Catholic Bible into Tagalog from the original languages, Msgr. Abriol made Scripture accessible in the heart language of millions.

  • His translations shaped liturgical vocabulary, influenced devotional literature, and empowered Filipino Catholics to engage deeply with their faith.

  • His enduring legacy blends linguistic brilliance, pastoral dedication, and scholarly rigor—truly a model of priestly service and national intellectual legacy.

References

  

Read also:   Scott Hahn: Leading Catholic Biblical Scholar, Apologist, and Evangelizer;  
 

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