Bishop Not In Favor of Bible As Louisiana State Book

There's legislation circulation in Baton Rouge to make The Bible the state book of Louisiana, but Bishop Michael Duca with the Diocese of Shreveport says he doesn't support it.

I'm sure the people involved here are very well-intentioned, I always thought that things it had to do with, for example, state bird...I was surprised to find the state drink was milk in Louisiana. That really surprised me. But nevertheless, I think it has something to do particularly to this state. Now the Bible, of course, is not just representative of something in this state, but of the whole world.

Duca also says it makes the Bible a political issue, and it shouldn't be at the center of political discussion.

It's supposed to move men's and women's hearts to embrace Christ and his way and to live the gospel message in their lives. The Holy Father recently said, 'The gospel of Christ is not to be imposed, but proposed.' And if we want to make the Bible truly the book of Louisiana, then we need to as Christians embrace the scriptures, live it out in our lives, draw others to Christ. And when it becomes the book of our hearts, then it will become the book of Louisiana. And that's what I think Christ wanted with his words - to change men's hearts.

Now there's talk about which version of the Bible will be used if this legislation passes. Bishop Duca shares his thoughts.

"Of course, I'd like to have the Catholic Bible as the one," he said. "But I think that goes now to the heart of the matter. It now becomes a political issue, a divisive issue. I think it's just not the forum where we should be talking about the Bible."

The legislation was introduced by Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody.

Listen to Robert and Erin's complete interview with Bishop Duca, where he also discussing the upcoming Easter weekend.