NEW YORK, NY (ANS) -- The American Bible Society announced today (Wednesday, May 7, 2008), that television and radio personality Padre Alberto Cutié and singer/songwriter Hermana Glenda Aguayo have joined the La Biblia Es Mi Guía (The Bible Is My Guide) advocacy campaign. La Biblia Es Mi Guía reaches Hispanics in the U.S. and Latin America to encourage Bible reading.

Padre Alberto Cutié

“Our mission is to make the Bible’s message accessible to everyone, and Padre Alberto’s and Hermana Glenda’s influence in the Catholic community will make a significant impact in achieving this goal,” said Rev. Emilio A. Reyes, Vice President, Hispanic/Latino Ministries of the American Bible Society.

Padre Alberto has been seen and heard by millions throughout the world. In 1999, he became the first Catholic priest to host a talk show on secular television: Padre Alberto and Cambia Tu Vida con el Padre Alberto (Change Your Life with Padre Alberto). Since then, Newsweek has often referred to him as “Father Oprah.” Currently, he is a priest in the Archdiocese of Miami, and a member of the American Bible Society’s Board of Trustees. Padre Alberto will participate in a series of national radio and online advertisements promoting La Biblia Es Mi Guía.

According to a news release from the American Bible Society, Hermana Glenda is the campaign’s first female spokesperson, and she will promote Bible reading during her spiritual retreats and concerts in the United States, Latin America and Spain. Hermana Glenda’s Scripture reflections, set to music, inspire and motivate audiences. In 2002, she performed Nada Es Imposible para Ti (Nothing is Impossible for You) for Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day in Toronto.

The American Bible Society also sponsors Encounter with the Bible: Lectio Divina seminars in order to facilitate use of this dynamic centuries-old Bible reading and reflection method that is an integral part of the devotional life of the Catholic Church. Furthermore, the Bible Society honored His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Ortega Alamino, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Havana, and Father Joseph P. Parkes, President of Cristo Rey New York High School in East Harlem, among other prominent Hispanic Catholics during its Bible in Hispanic America Gala last year.

La Biblia Es Mi Guia’s 30-second radio commercials, which air in both English and Spanish, have featured New York Yankee Mariano Rivera and Christian rock band Salvador. The campaign also maintains an active MySpace page and disseminates relevant Bible-based videos through YouTube.

About The American Bible Society

Founded in 1816 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message. The American Bible Society Web site is www.bibles.com.

Dan Wooding, 67, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma of 44 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. danjuma1@aol.com.