The Original Rheims New Testament, 1582

The chief translator was Father Gregory Martin (1540?-1582) of the English College ay Douay.  He completed translating the entire Bible from the Latin Vulgate in 1582, while the College had temporarily relocated to Rheims, but only the New Testament was published in that year.  The Old Testament was published in two volumes in 1609-10, after the College had returned to Douay. The complete Bible came to be known as the Douay, or Douay Rheims Version.

Nary’s New Testament, 1718

The first complete English Catholic New Testament translation after the Rheims was by Father Cornelius Nary (1658-1738).  He was a parish priest in Dublin and vigorous crusader for Catholic Emancipation.  The title page indicates his work was “Newly Translated out of the Latin Vulgat.” Suspected of Gallican influences, Nary was unable to win wide acceptance for his work.

Witham’s New Testament, 1730

Father Robert Witham (1667? – 1738) was one of seven sons of a prominent English Catholic Recusant family and became one of the most successful Presidents of Douay College.  His New Testament with its extended body of annotations went through five editions.  Although his Testament would shortly be eclipsed by Challoner’s, (his subordinate at Douay), his annotations continued to be used for several years, including in the popular Haydock series of Bibles.

The Simon-Webster New Testament, 1730

Father Richard Simon (1638-1712) of France is sometimes called “The Father of Biblical Criticism.”  His annotated NT of 1702 was not well accepted by the Church.  Anglican William Webster (1689-1758) translated Simon’s notes into English and published them with his own NT translation from the Vulgate.  Despite the dubious origins of this work, its renderings are remarkably conformable to Rheims in many important phrases, e.g., do penance (Matt. 3:2), full of grace (Luke 1:28), and good works (2 Pet. 1:10).

Challoner Revisions, 1749 & 52; Challoner-MacMahon, 1791

Richard Challoner (1691-1781) converted to Catholicism at an early age and rose to the rank of Vicar Apostolic (Titular Bishop) of the London District.  He was chiefly responsible for 4 NT revisions (1738, 1749, 1750, & 1752) and for 1 of the OT (1750).  The 1738 revision had little later influence.  However his later revisions were the basis for English Catholic Bibles for the next 200 years.  Father Bernard MacMahon (1736-1816) further revised Challoner’s work in 1783 (NT) and 1791 (OT with complete Bible). The 1749, 1752, & 1791 texts are included.

Lingard’s Gospels, 1836

Father John Lingard (1771-1851) is mainly remembered as an historian and as an eloquent advocate of Catholic Emancipation.  In 1836 he published anonymously a translation of the Four Gospels, using early Greek texts rather than the Latin Vulgate as his principal basis.   A second edition appeared with his name in 1851.  It was believed by some that he was secretly (in petto) created a Cardinal by Pope Leo XII.

Kenrick’s Revision, 1849

Francis Kenrick (1796-1863) was an Irish immigrant who rose in the American hierarchy to become Bishop of Philadelphia and Archbishop of Baltimore.  Over the years 1849-1860, he published in 6 volumes a complete revision of the Douay Bible.  His 1849 revision of the Four Gospels was influenced by Lingard.  In 1862 he published a New Testament with additional revisions.  Despite his prestigious positions in the Church, his revisions never gained wide acceptance.

Spencer’s Gospels, 1898

Father Francis Spencer (1845-1913), a convert, published a new translation of the Four Gospels in 1898.  He completed a new translation of the entire New Testament before his death. However, it was not published until 1937. Like Lingard, Spencer used early Greek manuscripts as his principal basis.  Father Spencer’s New Testament was at first well received, but was soon eclipsed by publication of the Confraternity and Knox translations during the 1940’s.