The changes are included in a new English-language translation of the Roman Missal, a translation produced after almost 30 years of labor, intrigue and infighting. The new missal, the book of texts and prayers used in the Mass, is intended to be closer to the liturgical Latin that was used for centuries than the current version. The church officials promoting it say it will bring an elevated reverence and authenticity to the Mass. Many Catholics who prefer a more traditional liturgy are eagerly anticipating the change.
But after getting a glimpse of the texts in recent months, thousands of priests in the United States, Ireland and Australia have publicly objected that the translation is awkward, archaic and inaccessible. Although most are resigned to adopting the new missal, some have mounted campaigns to prevent it from being introduced.
“What we are asking of the bishops is to scrap this text,” said the Rev. Sean McDonagh, a leader of an Irish group, the Association of Catholic Priests, which represents 450 priests ”” about 1 out of 10 ”” in that country. “I know people are not going to use it. I wouldn’t use it, because everything I know in terms of theology and anthropology and linguistics, it breaches every one of those.”
“What we are asking of the bishops is to scrap this text,†said the Rev. Sean McDonagh, a leader of an Irish group, the Association of Catholic Priests, which represents 450 priests — about 1 out of 10 — in that country. “I know people are not going to use it. I wouldn’t use it, because everything I know in terms of theology and anthropology and linguistics, it breaches every one of those.â€
Alas that a priest should be so wrong on so many counts does not surprise me at all.
Now back to Lent.
Some people are just chronic complainers when anything changes. And the media, especially the NY Times, will find every one of them to give a platform to. Frankly, I particularly like one of the new suggested dismissals for the deacon to use: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”
deaconjohn,
An interesting comparison with the opening line of the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
[blockquote] “Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” [/blockquote]
The Eucharistic rite that I saw did not strike me as a model of English diction.
I just noticed a glaring mistake in the Times’ headline. I should have caught it because the constant mislabeling by the media of the NEW TRANSLATION of the Mass as a NEW MASS has been the cause for much talk among a lot of Catholics.