Why doesn't the Catholic Church emphasize reading the Bible?
The short answer
It does — that's a common misconception. Catholics meditate on Scripture at every Mass, the Catechism urgently exhorts all the faithful to read Scripture often ("Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ"), and the Church even grants indulgences for Bible reading.
At every Mass
The readings and responsorial psalm are taken directly from the Bible.
The Catechism's exhortation
The Church forcefully exhorts all the faithful to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ by frequent reading of Scripture, for ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ (CCC 133).
Indulgences
A partial indulgence is granted for reading Scripture with veneration as spiritual reading, and a plenary one when the reading lasts at least half an hour.
Continue exploring
- How should Catholics read the Bible?Q&A
- How important is the Old Testament for Catholics?Q&A
- Are Catholics free to interpret Bible verses without the Church's approval?Q&A
- Do our beliefs and traditions come from God or from human beings?Q&A
- Should extra-biblical traditions carry the same weight as Scripture?Q&A
- Should we call the Old Testament "the Hebrew Scriptures"?Q&A