Brother Hervé Ponsot, who was chosen to be the new director of the école Biblique et Archéologique française (EBAF. The French Biblical and Archaeological School), will begin his new functions in July.
You were chosen to be director of the EBAF. What was your first reaction?
When, in the middle of December, 2007, my name was mentioned in connection with the direction of the EBAF, at first I could only think of it with fear and trembling. It meant no less than to follow in the footsteps of illustrious ancestors such as Fathers Lagrange, de Vaux and Benoît, knowing that the beatification process for the first-named is open…
In addition, the School is internationally known, with a reputation that must be upheld, whereas I have never been more than an instructor at the Catholic Institute of Toulouse, rather avoiding conventions and congresses. Finally, everyone knows and there is no need to stress the point that the Biblical School is in East Jerusalem and its members suffer with all those who suffer in this part of the world.
In short, my reaction was, "I am neither worthy nor capable." I have not changed my mind, but at the same time I recognize that my immediate predecessor, Brother Jean-Michel Poffet, has done an immense and remarkable job that must be continued, that I would have the support of the instructors, Dominicans and others, and that the Lord - through the very particular intercession of Father Lagrange - helps those who cry out to him…
I accepted, therefore, that the process follow its course and I will officially commence my duties on the first of this coming July, arriving on site for the 28th of August, Saint Augustine’s feast day. With the prospect of continuing the work that has already begun, particularly with regard to the project “The Bible and Its Traditions”, whose goal is to propose a renewed translation/edition of the Bible that would take into account not only the conditions in which the text was produced, but also the way it has been read over time, a project that is foreseen to continue for fifteen or twenty years!
Is the Holy Land unknown territory to you?
In February 2008, I returned to the Holy Land, after an absence of 25 years. My first and only stay (1981-1983) was, in fact, during my studies, when I was sent by my formators for a two-year specialization in biblical studies. It was there, with Fathers Benoît and Dreyfus, that I began to enter into the world of Saint Paul, a world I have never left - my thesis dealt with the figure of Abraham in Galatians 3 and Romans 4 - even though, for several years now, I have been more interested in the Acts of the Apostles.
I participated, therefore in the School’s excursions, at least those that were devoted to discovering the country under the direction of Brother Jerome Murphy O’Connor, a reference still present and active at the School in other areas.
But I believe I have forgotten everything, or nearly…
In 25 years, and this is quite normal, the world has changed, the living conditions in the country too, and the Biblical School has followed this movement. Now I am going to try to accompany it a bit.
Interview by Marie-Armelle Beaulieu
Visiting Card
Hervé Ponsot was born on 23 October, 1951.
He entered the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) in 1975, and was ordained a priest in 1980.
Formation
- Higher Commercial Studies (HEC) diploma (1971-1974)
- Diploma from the French Biblical and Archaeological School of Jerusalem (1981-1983)
- Doctorate in Theology and Religious Studies (1983-1985), Catholic Institute of Paris / Paris IV Sorbonne), with a thesis on "Abraham in Pauline Theology" Galatians 3 and Romans 4".
Brother Hervé is webmaster of numerous Dominican sites, including: paulissimo.dominicains.com
Site Internet de l’Ecole Biblique
You were chosen to be director of the EBAF. What was your first reaction?
When, in the middle of December, 2007, my name was mentioned in connection with the direction of the EBAF, at first I could only think of it with fear and trembling. It meant no less than to follow in the footsteps of illustrious ancestors such as Fathers Lagrange, de Vaux and Benoît, knowing that the beatification process for the first-named is open…
In addition, the School is internationally known, with a reputation that must be upheld, whereas I have never been more than an instructor at the Catholic Institute of Toulouse, rather avoiding conventions and congresses. Finally, everyone knows and there is no need to stress the point that the Biblical School is in East Jerusalem and its members suffer with all those who suffer in this part of the world.
In short, my reaction was, "I am neither worthy nor capable." I have not changed my mind, but at the same time I recognize that my immediate predecessor, Brother Jean-Michel Poffet, has done an immense and remarkable job that must be continued, that I would have the support of the instructors, Dominicans and others, and that the Lord - through the very particular intercession of Father Lagrange - helps those who cry out to him…
I accepted, therefore, that the process follow its course and I will officially commence my duties on the first of this coming July, arriving on site for the 28th of August, Saint Augustine’s feast day. With the prospect of continuing the work that has already begun, particularly with regard to the project “The Bible and Its Traditions”, whose goal is to propose a renewed translation/edition of the Bible that would take into account not only the conditions in which the text was produced, but also the way it has been read over time, a project that is foreseen to continue for fifteen or twenty years!
Is the Holy Land unknown territory to you?
In February 2008, I returned to the Holy Land, after an absence of 25 years. My first and only stay (1981-1983) was, in fact, during my studies, when I was sent by my formators for a two-year specialization in biblical studies. It was there, with Fathers Benoît and Dreyfus, that I began to enter into the world of Saint Paul, a world I have never left - my thesis dealt with the figure of Abraham in Galatians 3 and Romans 4 - even though, for several years now, I have been more interested in the Acts of the Apostles.
I participated, therefore in the School’s excursions, at least those that were devoted to discovering the country under the direction of Brother Jerome Murphy O’Connor, a reference still present and active at the School in other areas.
But I believe I have forgotten everything, or nearly…
In 25 years, and this is quite normal, the world has changed, the living conditions in the country too, and the Biblical School has followed this movement. Now I am going to try to accompany it a bit.
Interview by Marie-Armelle Beaulieu
Visiting Card
Hervé Ponsot was born on 23 October, 1951.
He entered the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) in 1975, and was ordained a priest in 1980.
Formation
- Higher Commercial Studies (HEC) diploma (1971-1974)
- Diploma from the French Biblical and Archaeological School of Jerusalem (1981-1983)
- Doctorate in Theology and Religious Studies (1983-1985), Catholic Institute of Paris / Paris IV Sorbonne), with a thesis on "Abraham in Pauline Theology" Galatians 3 and Romans 4".
Brother Hervé is webmaster of numerous Dominican sites, including: paulissimo.dominicains.com
Site Internet de l’Ecole Biblique