In place of his usual reflection John Chuchman sent through this plea today on behalf of the Church reform organisation, Call to Action. He also sent through an article by William Slavick entitled "Erasure of Vatican II extends to new Missal—affecting 400 Million!" which we have posted on the Catholica forum HERE. What are your views on the new translation; does it enhance your worship; do you believe it will help bring your children or the lapsi back in the door; or is it another endeavour to appease the vocal remnant minority in our pews?

THE ROMAN MISSAL – A CRISIS?

Starting today (November 27th), Catholics in the parts of the English-speaking world are asked to speak an altered set of responses during Sunday masses in which the grammar and translation aligns more closely with the previous Latin-language mass.

The Vatican has focused on fidelity to the Latin language,
but not fidelity to the people and the needs of Catholics today.

What is happening?
The Latin-language mass was in common use for about 400 years prior to Vatican II, when the bishops welcomed the mass to be spoken in multiple languages.
Bishops, through their committee (ICEL), collaborated for years to improve the accessibility of the mass in English-speaking countries.
The Vatican ignored the bishops' effort and imposed their own interpretation.
Even after the U S Bishops approved this translation,
the Vatican made 10,000 additional changes.

Proposed translation —> Current translation —> Reflection
"Christ died for many" —> "Christ died for all" —> Who is left out?
"Jesus took the precious chalice" —> "Jesus took the cup" —> What would Jesus have used?
"Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault" —>
Not so subtly, the new translation emphasizes our sinful nature, not our giftedness from God.

Learn more:
Call To Action, a Catholic church-justice movement, is coordinating a national educational tour with Fr. Anthony Ruff, a Benedictine monk and eminent liturgy professor to look at the new mass translations and the real history behind the changes.

Call To Action invites all to join the church justice movement that is working so Catholics will have a say in decisions that affect us.

For tour information, go to
www.cta-usa.org/keepusinyourprayer

For a history of the translation, see
www.misguidedmissal.com

What can we do?
Vote with your words:
Send a note to your pastor. Tell others about how this was imposed.
Use the old familiar words.

Vote with your feet:
Form your own Eucharistic community. Make copies & pass out at a parish near you.

Vote with your money:
Give less & include a note. Support church justice organizations.

Join Call To Action at: www.cta-usa.org

Work for a Church that is just, inclusive & accountable!

John Chuchman

[Index of Commentaries by John Chuchman]