We are sorry we are not able to post all of the comments we receive.  The following selections are representative of many thousands more.  These comments were received between December 28, 2009 and March 4, 2010.

I hold a PhD in theology. I am a feminist as well as a wife and mother. The language that is being replaced is the language of community, the language that was intended by Vatican II. Those who are reverting back to pre Vatican usage are in direct violation of the Council's teachings and the will of the praying church.
Darlene Peitz Hillenbrand| Lay Person | Stockton, CA | US
 
II remember my father's excitement when at 55 he entered into the celebration of the Mass for the first time in his life in the language he spoke. My mother's delight as she could join more fully in worship through song, music was important in her life. The delight as our pastor turned from the beautiful marble altar and elaborate tabernacle to face the face of Christ in "the people of God." I hurt as I think of loosing the full active participation in this source and summit of my beliefs. How do I ask a catechumen to pray using grammar which would receive a failing grade in a junior high English paper? I pray of a careful, respectful consideration of these concerns.
Patricia L Miller| Lay Minister | Kansas City in Kansas | United States
 
How will the priests explain the purpose of these changes? It will be embarrassing. How will the teen-agers respond to these changes --- they will tune it out at a time when we are desperate for them to tune in. Younger adults (age 20-30)everywhere will be confused and dismayed.
Marianne Polkowski-Burns| Lay Person | Oakland | USA
 
I am a product of Catholic education, K- J.D., having sung Latin High Masses weekly at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. My father, a Vincentian seminarian, and my 4 brothers, all altar boys, lead our Mission parish in transition to the Vernacular ~ Spanish, in 1965. I have been a member of my parish in Spokane for 30 years, serving as cantor, liturgist, pastoral council president, and now, pew~parishoner. Our Bishop, William Skylstad, has been a NCCB leader and shepherd. Now is the time for all well-intentioned Bishops to heed the call of your people and your priests. We are faithful, we love our communities and do not wish to risk their health and faith to language that does not invite prayer.
Mary Ellen Gaffney-Brown| Lay Person | Spokane, Washington | USA
 
I had been away from the church for many years and when I returned in the mid-80's I found a Church that touched me and helped me to learn more about God, my faith and how to live my faith than I had learned in 16 years of Catholic education. I now feel that I can truly live my baptismal promises and that I am a full and willing participant in the liturgy and the works of the Church.
Eileen McDermott| Lay Minister | Los Angeles | United States
 
The Catholic Faith is my faith and that of my mother, grandmothers and many who have lived by the Gospel and message proclaimed by Jesus. We are the Community of Faith, not just clerics and the hierarchy. We should have a say in this and can be trusted to make good choices ---our intelligence comes from God too!
Carolyn Priest| Lay Person | Oakland, CA | USA
 
Why take the simple and correct english words and phrases away and leave us once more in the world of ecclesiastical double-speak? When i pray, i use Father, not Almighty God as the address. I was away from the church for some time and when i came back it was primarily because the language of the Mass was so warm and welcoming and accessible. I don't find my mind wandering away from the prayers. I know what they mean and don't have to filter out extraneous words.
Jeanne MacCoy| Lay Person | Oakland, California | United States of America
 
Further reflection is needed on this - I ask that we wait.
Ursula Cawley| Lay Minister | of Portland, Oregon | United States
 
I just recently stepped out of being pastor of three small parishes. I went to Peru in '64 for 40 years so my post Vatican 2 experience was in the barriadas of Lima. For the poor in "new" non-traditional parishes, liturgy became a living force of life. I'm not sure I'll be able to continue celebrating with the new texts that suck life out of life.
Paul Feeley OMI| Priest | Oblates of Mary Immaculate | Canada
 
St. Benedict tells us to "listen with the ear of our heart" and as I listen to the concerns of the people whom I serve on behalf of the church, it is clear that waiting and spending more time as a church to hear each other is crucial to avoid creating dis-unity in the church. Though it takes more effort, listening is deeply important for the church's leadership, it is instructive and always has positive ramifications for the church. I serve a diverse population of people who strive to make a difference in service of the gospel. As a liturgist, I may even be able to explain some of the theological underpinnings of the changes proposed, however, we need time to show how our prayer can be in service of the gospel...how it can make a difference in the lives of the poor. I think we as a church are still coming to understand how lex orandi, lex credendi and lex vivendi work together
Karin Barrett| Lay Minister | St. Paul/Minneapolis | USA
 
The translations are unnecessary at best and at worse divisive in a time when unity is crucial.
Lisa Wiltz| Lay Person | Chicago | United States
 
I have been a Catholic for 92+ years and I think there are many other needs of the church than changing a few words in the Mass---how about more teaching on prayer, social justice, globalization, ecology----many needs and especially evangelization of Catholics who no longer attend Mass ?
Agnes DePatta| Lay Person | San Francisco | United States
 
HOW IN THE WORLD will I get my teenage sons to keep coming to mass if they have to listen to prayers spoken in a language MORE ARCHAIC THAN MY GRANDFATHER'S DAY??? In the Spanish language, they use the intimate 'Tu' rather than the formal 'Usted'... English is NOT a romance language and the only way that we can portray the same intimacy and family feeling is to talk to God as we would REALLY talk to a father. Most of this is not only bad English, but very bad theology, and incredibly stupid pastoral care.
Anonymous| Lay Person | Venice | U.S.A.
 
I am a convert to the Church. I have 3 sons and 2 of their wives have also converted to the Church. They are active in Life Teen Programs also. I have seen an explosion of the youth in the Church since Pope John Paul. PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE BACK TO THE OLD WAYS. You would do major damage to the youth population of the Church here in the US.
Vickie Lynch| Lay Person | Little Rock, AR | USA
 
I am making my request as an individual, not in the name of my community. I am making it also because I love my Church and I love the liturgy and it saddens me that issues of worship of our loving God divide rather than unite us. May the Holy Spirit guide you.
Anonymous| Religious | Birmingham Alabama | USA
 
I am not in favor of this translation as it is encumbered, difficult to understand, and, mostly, not needed and waste of the Church's money to boot. This is just one example of the move to put us back to a pre-Vatican II posture.
Mary McCaffrey Puccinelli| Lay Person | Chicago | USA
 
Having seen the English used and read that there has been little discussion of this development at parish or even diocesan level, I have asked my Parish Pastoral Council to discuss this and pray for the Holy Spirit to encourage those responsible to think again. I am not the only one in my parish to think that the English used will put off both worshipping lay Catholics and in particular young people. After earlier efforts by translators following the guidance of Vatican II, the examples of the proposed new missal look retrograde.
Anonymous| Lay Person | Clifton | United Kingdom
 
I was educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph in South Berwick, Maine and from them I learned love and understanding of the Latin liturgy. In later years, I became a medievalist and learned Latin, among other languages. At the time of Vatican II, I regretted the loss of the Latin liturgy and clutched at its shadows in the new English translation. I became a professional translator and a teacher of translators and grew into an earnestly practicing Catholic in the spirit of Vatican II. These are my credentials for having an opinion concerning the "new" translations of the Missal. These opinions are totally negative. They certainly do add to the "mystery" that adherents of the Tridentine mass are lamenting because they often verge on the incomprehensible and they certainly do not constitute a suitable vehicle for the prayers of a loving heart. Please let us consider and reconsider the pastoral effectiveness of these translations!
Gertrud Champe| Lay Minister | Portland, Maine | USA
 
In our case in South Africa please stop! I went to mass in New Zealand for 7 Sundays recently and it was such a pleasure to use the "old" translation.
Barbara Beaumont| Lay Person | Cape Town | South Africa
 
Does any native English speaker really use words like "consubstantial," or "oblation"? The terms in the current translation, "one in being" and "offering" seem to be perfect synonyms. Why can't we have the mass expressed in language that everyone can understand? And "he took bread in his holy and venerable hands"? I'm guessing that "venerable" here is supposed to mean "worthy of veneration"? But in English, I've never seen anyone use it that way. Most people don't use it all. Those who do, use it to mean "old," which would not seem to apply to Jesus' hands.
Dr. Martha Robinson| Lay Person | Clarion, PA | USA
 
I am for accurate translations. I am also for excellent English translations of the Verbum Dei for proclamation in Liturgy. I think that doing the revisions in some trial locations is a marvelous suggestion.
Fr. John A. Schultz| Priest | La Crosse | USA
 
Very much concerned over this. Not yet sure if I'm against it or not, but I agree that at least a reasonable amount of time should be given to thoroughly review the changes being made. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. May the Holy Spirit guide us always...
Maria Cecilia Tabones| Lay Person | St. Jude Parish | Philippines
 
I was appalled by some of the poor Latin to English translations first introduced in the1960's but I am more deeply saddened by the complete lack of English language skills exhibited by the translations now being put forth. At least I won't have to listen to my native English language destroyed by the poor skills of our hierarchy more ant a decade or two, but I do wish I did not have to be subject to a minute of it.
Anonymous| Lay Minister | Denver | US
 
On behalf of the American Catholic Correctional Chaplains Association, we should re-examine these proposed changes. God willing, we should have a better use of the English language in our Catholic rituals.
Paul E. Rogers| Lay Minister | Milwaukee | USA
 
When will the Bishops learn to discern with their people and say 'NO' when 'No' is the best answer?!
Pauline St. Pierre| Religious | Boston Archdiocese | USA
 
I am concerned also by what my priest reports, that a lot of earlier work on revision was thrown out on the appointment of a new Head of the Congregation for Worship, and replaced by a following of the Latin - not an easy language to translate into English. By all means lets delay, run pilot trials and consider.
Mrs Brenda Ackroyd| Lay Minister | Shrewsbury | England
 
I am a former religious/ now lay woman. I was in formation in 1969-71when the new liturgy was being finalized -- and had a wonderful course on Eucharistic theology with someone just returned from Rome. In this past fall (2009), I attended a parish workshop on the forthcoming translation changes given by a priest professor at our seminary (formerly in office of worship in Philly). He put a great spin on how saying "And with your spirit" would boost our self esteem -- and of course did not want to hear any real analysis on our part. Thus I was so heartened when I read your article in America. THANK YOU for doing this -- no matter the ultimate outcome. Blessings.
Barbara C Lonnquist| Lay Person | Philadelphia PA | USA
 
As a Campus Minister I have found the language used now at Mass is difficult enough for our young people. Another layer of language difficult to understand will not bring the majority of our young people closer to the celebration of the Eucharist. Our Lady of La Salette when seeing the children did not understand her French, she said, "Let me try it another way." She then spoke in the local dialect so the children could understand. It was about understanding, not the language. I want to know if people will understand better using these prayers.
Edward J. Brown, ms| Religious | Missionary of La Salette | United States
 
I am an elderly priest, ordained in 1961, and grew up with the Latin Mass. However, I welcomed the Mass in the vernacular and, difficult as it was, did my best to open it up to the people as a very important step in our liturgy. I have always been interested in liturgy, did a Diploma In Sacred Liturgy at the Institute of Pastoral Liturgy. and have always tried to celebrate with reverence and dignity as the rite deserves. I am now Chaplain to an aged care facility of 30 women, Religious and Lay, in their 80s and 90s, some of who have dementia. They love their daily Mass. Imagine trying to introduce the new English Translation of the Missal under these circumstances. Surely let us wait and try out this translation as has been suggested.
Patrick J Sharpe MSC| Priest | SYDNEY | Australia
 
I cannot add to what has been so frankly and beautifully said by so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ! I will gratefully add only my name and a loud AMEN.
MARTHA VANDERBILT MPS| Lay Minister | Columbus, Ohio | USA
 
I have thoughtfully read through the translations that will be used for use in the new missal. The effort to change these responses strikes me as something gratifying to a gathering of remote academics who have long lost touch with their time or their people in the pews. Working for some years with our parish's RCIA team I know there will be problems with some of this language. Frankly, some of it appears to be silly and capricious to this person's American ear. The Church can do better and should listen to the stirrings from the laity so soon in the process.
Tom Bruehl| Lay Person | Los Angeles | USA
 
As a liturgist (M.A. from Notre Dame), I cannot see how this new translational will be anything but divisive. It will be understood as an imposition on the English speaking world and more about the politics of the church than the authentic prayer of God's people. A trial year in a few parishes is a bare minimum accommodation and only reasonable. If this translation is promulgated, it will take 20-30 years of pain before there is another opportunity for renewal. Many of us will be dead by then. Not the way we want to finish life on this earth.
Pamela Wagner| Lay Minister | Los Angeles | USA
 
When did the Holy Spirit STOP inspiring the Vatican II??
Thomas J. Norris| Religious | Joliet | USA
 
If this translation is of God, it will be successful and the people will embrace it. If it is not, the people will be saved from confusion and perhaps the Church will be saved from looking foolish.
Cora Bartemes| Lay Person | Des Moines | United States
 
Seeing the examples of the proposed new translation of the Missal filled me with despair. Cumbersome, stilted sentences in language that seems so old fashioned are not what I expected from the new translation. Time should be allowed for proper dialogue and consultation.
Anonymous| Lay Person | Southwark | United Kingdom
 
Having read these translations, heard the awful testimony of the lay faithful in South Africa where they have been enacted, and reading the thoughtful and soulful comments of my brothers and sisters in Christ, I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit is at work. I implore the leadership to reconsider its current path and give voice to the faithful, both lay and ordained who care deeply for our Church and the dignity and accessibility of our liturgy. When I consider the many challenges for the Church in the modern world, I am disheartened to see that this is where energy is being expended. Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your faithful!
Anonymous| Lay Minister | Archdiocese of Hartford | USA
 
As I travel through our Archdiocese, I hear the discontent and misunderstandings of many. I applaud the idea of wait, test and see.
John Halloran| Lay Minister | San Antonio | USA
 
As a professional charged with the task of introducing both the first and revised English translations of the Roman Missal, I am shocked and saddened by the roll-back. Why are the people in the pew subject to such a violation? Clearly the painful experiences of those early post-Conciliar years has been forgotten. Any cultural anthropologist will tell warn against tampering with ritual action. Such changes rip at the soul of the faithful.
Owen Borda| Lay Person | NY | USA
 
It is heart breaking to me that this translation is happening.  It is heart-breaking that the bishops have abandoned their call to collegiality. It is heart-breaking that we are backing off from Vatican Two documents that are by the way still definitive. I grew up in the old liturgy--would not go back to that for anything. I am so sick of the power-mongering of the Vatican. What church legacy will I have to leave my three children? Does being Catholic stop in my family with me? So many assaults on my beloved church! Would that the people of God and the priests who really support them would rise up and say --enough!
Michaeleen Swanson| Lay Minister | Archdiocese Saint Paul Minneapolis | USA
 
Are we going to let them try to close the windows of the church that Pope John was so keen to fling open?? The Holy Spirit is at work in us all.
Clare McGivern| Lay Person | Auckland | New Zealand
 
How do we say, with a straight face, these changes are important to the faith of our people?
James N Poulsen| Priest | San Diego | United States
 
I have switched to the French edition of Magnificat because the translations that I saw in a preliminary preview were in a word awful. I am lucky that my French is fluent enough I can do this. However not everyone can switch into another language and it would be a real tragedy if the language of Shakespeare cannot be given a translation of the Sacred Scriptures worthy of it for all the many millions of English speakers throughout the world.
Christine Gernant| Lay Person | Sacramento | USA
 
This is all about power, not about pastoral care.
stephen Nevin| Lay Person | New York | United States
 
It is important for our children to want to attend Mass. I know as a child, with Mass in Latin, I never really learned how to pray during Mass nor did I really feel I participated. My children are 23, 22, 20 and 17 years of age. They all still attend Mass regularly and not only on Sunday. This is because they feel a part of the Mass and they understand us. Let's not go back 100 years, please.
Marybeth Brown| Lay Person | Orange, California | USA
 
Why????
Margaret Haller, DMJ| Religious | Los Angeles, CA | United States
 
What a pity it would be, after all these years of waiting, an inadequate ritual were to be imposed on the Catholic faithful. The arguments put forward by supposedly learned people for the adoption of the new texts are hardly cogent.
Brian Grenier| Religious | Brisbane | Australia
 
I had almost given up the fight, but I have long cared too much for liturgy to do that. Thanks to Father Ryan I am backing him and his followers 100%.
Anonymous| Priest | San Antonio | USA
 
I am a former Latin teacher, and I would never accept such outrageously literal translations from my students. The literal translation is a step to a idiomatic translation which conforms to the rhythms, vocabulary, and diction of the target language. When I was still teaching (I am retired), I often used the ICEL translations as examples of how one language differs from another when communicating the same concepts and ideas. PLEASE give a second thought to inflicting these new translations on people who have become familiar with the older version that speaks their language.
Frederick Codair, CFX| Religious | Boston | USA
 
I think the translation we are currently using is reverent and full of praise for our awesome God. Let's concentrate on other issues i.e. getting Catholics back to attending church on a regular basis, shortage of priests, celibacy options, ordaining women at least to the diaconate, ecumenism, reaching out to young people the - the list goes on.
Caroline Morici| Lay Minister | Chicago | USA
 
If it were meant to be as a result of Vatican II ... why not then? Is the Church now saying Vatican II was a mistake?? I pray that the Holy Spirit help us ... in many ways!!
Aaron S| Lay Minister | Chicago | USA
 
We ask for a liturgy we can participate in, not just listen to.
Leonard & Katherine Davis| Lay Person | Portland Maine | USA
 
I have read only a few of the samples but couldn't believe what I was reading - the "nitpicking" and sometimes strange ways of expression. There are more important issues in the world to be concerned about.
Jean Schmid| Religious | St. Louis, MO | USA
 
I totally with some sort of testing of the mass before missals are printed. We already have the responses of the mass here in South Africa the English is clumsy and off putting. I totally disagree with this new version as it stands. Best wishes with the project. Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy| Priest | Johannesburg | South Africa
 
As a woman, I am particularly sensitive to the need for inclusive language. Our young daughters, nieces must feel included in the liturgies. I remember my friend telling the story of attending Mass with her daughter before inclusive language. At one point, her daughter tugged on her skirt and said, "Mom, don't they know we're here?"
Mary Orr| Lay Person | Davenport | USA
 
I am both disappointed and frightened by this trend
Timothy M. Schumacher| Lay Minister | Santa Fe | U.S.
 
I have just become aware of the proposed new translation of the missal. I have read many of the comments already written on this website and agree with them wholeheartedly. I am a convert to Catholicism because of Vatican 2. I also believe that Our Lord is not interested in pompous turns of phrase. He taught the people of His day in simple language that they understood as He continues to teach us today. His message is 'love'. Where is the 'love' in the why and how of what is being proposed? What is the Vatican afraid of?
Christine Menzies| Lay Minister | Clifton | UK
 
I am appalled at the regression of the church I love. Where has Vatican II gone? Who will stand up and speak for us? Please, don't just say wait...SAY NO!
Judith I. Kribley| Lay Person | Chicago, IL | USA
 
I strongly urge the Bishops to consider the voice of the many Bishops, Priests, Religious and Lay people who value Liturgy and Prayer and are concerned about what will be lost in this controversial and abrupt change. I support the above statement which is both truthful and respectful.
Sarah Lamb IHM| Religious | Allentown | USA
 
I have translated Julian of Norwich for Doubleday. Words are important: The Word is God's expression of his inner self. So that as we pray liturgically, we need to sift through to allow the right words to be spoken and prayed. The Latin Mass backlash from Vatican II' s belated Inspiration to offer the Eucharist in our mother tongue is apparent here. Religion has become politics, herding the People of God into a supposedly united church. And all the while, we are being dispersed and our children left outside.
john skinner| Lay Person | Bath & Wells | UK
 
Amen! to all Fr. Ryan said! My words of consolation for all of us are - the pendulum will swing back this way again. Perhaps, from heaven we will see it and smile!
Veronica Mendez| Religious | New York | USA
 
Under my roof grammar and comprehension matter.
Jack Marth| Lay Person | New York | USA
 
Before becoming a lay minister, I was a professional translator. The methodology of these translations is seriously flawed and would not be acceptable to any professional publication. Worse yet that it is being imposed on people's prayer!
Chari L. Rosales| Lay Minister | Joliet | USA
 
I get filled, both with sadness and anger, when I see devout and earnest lay Catholics, who contribute greatly to the upbuilding of God's kingdom, get deeply demotivated by such acts of the church's leadership (in Rome). The church cannot survive without the input of these hard-working, unpaid servants.
Paul Tjon-Kiem-Sang| Lay Person | Paramaribo | Suriname
 
I agree wholeheartedly with Bp. Trautman that much of the new translation is a "pastoral disaster." I have been teaching scripture and theology to undergraduates for 30 years, and today they have almost no religious vocabulary--I have to explain the difference between Old and New Testaments, what "grace" means, what the word "episcopal" means--what are such Catholics to make of language like "consubstantial with the Father"?!?
Anonymous| Religious | Sioux Falls | USA
 
My current work involves supporting the teachers of our Archdiocese in their difficult task of Religious Education. Time and time again I hear teachers express their various concerns to me. One such concern I have heard repeated in various ways is about the at times 'out of touch' vocabulary that is used in our religion text books and programmes. It is my sincere belief that the proposed replacement vocabulary for the missal is moving in the wrong direction. It is not 'age appropriate' in every sense of that phrase! I hereby add my appeal to the 'powers that be' to think again about the text that is proposed. I regret that there appears to have been no consultation on this issue. I welcome the opportunity of this on-line petition to express my opinion and also to read the opinions of others worldwide. I pray that God's wisdom will prevail throughout our Church at this critical time for Ireland and for our Universal Church.
Rev. Fr. Patrick Coffey (Schools R.E. Advisor)| Priest | Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly. | Ireland
 
I took part in an informal read-through of the proposed translation together with our pastor, two Professors of English, and others. I have a background in English Literature and have a MA degree in Writing. Our group was unanimously agreed that this translation is unworkable and ill serves both Latin and English. Forcing it upon people will reinforce their belief that the Church is out of touch and does not care about disrupting and discouraging their participation in the sacred liturgy. PLEASE RECONSIDER and withdraw this unwieldy travesty!
Anonymous| Lay Minister | Los Angeles | United States
 
I was expecting it to be bad, this is far worse than I expected! It is NOT English. It is Not a Translation, it Is Transliteration. It will not transmit the faith, as it is not understandable even with a theology degree etc. "Lex orandi, lex credendi" will become "Lex orandi, lex ignoranti". Why have our bishops caved in to this? Why have they abandoned their Pastor's Staff? To keep their Mitres and rings?
Ray Lyons| Priest | Portsmouth | United Kingdom
 
The liturgy is primary in my life as a contemplative religious and its' language is of utmost significance to me. My concern also embraces the People of God whose faith is nourished by the Eucharistic Liturgy and who deserve language that continues to support and enhance their spirituality in our contemporary post Vatican ll era. I strongly oppose what seems a dismantling of the fruits of Vatican ll and I strongly support the above statement of concern.
Rita Donahue OCD| Religious | New York | USA
 
Let's get it right this time!
J. Robert Busam| Lay Minister | Cincinnati, Ohio | USA
 
I am led to believe that in some EP's, the words "...It will be shed for you and for all..." are proposed to be changed to " ...It will be shed for you and for many." This comes dangerously close to Calvinistic predestination, and therefore in RC dogmatic theology, very close to heresy, whereby why don't we just say NO!
HUGH PURCELL| Priest | St Andrew's & Edinburgh | Scotland
 
In Indonesia we have had a similarly disastrous Latinist / literalist bahasa Indonesia translation foisted upon us. Thank God so many refuse to use it and continue with the 30+ year old clear text. As long as bishops are appointed by the Vatican curia I do not see a way forward. Unless the laity do the impossible.
John Prior| Priest | Maumere | Indonesia
 
As a Catholic school teacher who prepares 7 and 8 year old children to receive their First Eucharist, I would ask that our American bishops consider our children and youth who are growing in knowledge and love of the Mass as we now know it. My students are so thrilled and excited to learn about the Mass and the beauty of Jesus' love and sacrifice for them. They are able to understand the language of the Mass and respond with loving enthusiasm. It would be so sad to see this loving enthusiasm for Jesus and the Eucharist squelched because they are unable to understand the language of this most beautiful sacrament.
Rita Bohling| Lay Person | Oakland CA | US
 
Dear Lord, please listen to your people and give guidance to the church leadership that they might follow your ways and do as you would do. We so want to worship you in ways that bring you glory and unite your people as a loving community. Lord please send your Spirit to speak to the hearts of our leaders. We give you Glory and Praise! Amen
Dan Mathews| Lay Minister | Minneapolis/St Paul | USA
 
I am mystified by the need to push these changes through at this time. So much has happened over the last several years that have disheartened and unsettled many of us. We are not in awe of the stewardship of the Church. To be focusing on liturgical changes when faced with New Orleans, a catholic city, and now Haiti, a catholic country, and needs of the unemployed and poor seems senseless. Ritualistic concerns should never trump social concerns. Additionally, the Bishops lack of support for health care reform, threatening politicians that they will be denied communion etc. is so destructive. So just wait and think more about what you are doing. Thank you and have a good day.
Joseph Pauls| Lay Minister | Columbus, Ohio | USA
 
I am a seminarian who has been moved and inspired by the beauty of the current missal my entire life. Now as I approach ordination in 2 years (God willing), I am saddened to see the prayers and texts that have inspired me to serve at God's altar suddenly vanish to be replaced by this clumsy, awkward translation that will put our people at a distance.
Seán Paul Fleming| Lay Person | Buffalo | United States
 
I am a doctoral student at Heythrop College, University of London. My thesis includes work on philosophy of language and its interconnection with a personal relationship with God. Liturgical language is a crucial part of that relationship. We need to get it right.
Elizabeth Duffy| Lay Person | Northampton | England
 
As a Teacher of the Deaf I feel that it is both a privilege and a responsibility to act as an interpreter; but how can I translate into Sign Language, for those who hear with their eyes, what is incomprehensible to the mind let alone signing to the heart of true understanding? Time, time, time for true discernment through prayer is essential.
Miss Catriona Rankin| Lay Person | East Anglia | United kingdom
 
At my age (76) I'm tempted to revert to Latin rather than cope with this new translation.
Ann Eljenholm Nichols| Lay Person | Norwich | Cambridgeshire
 
I belong to a religious community and we are all amazed and disappointed at the way the new translation has been introduced and imposed upon the People of God. We want to register our deep concern and anxiety. Thank you for giving us this opportunity
Patricia Rumsey| Religious | Westminster | UK
 
Waiting and revising seems like a good option as we will have to live with the result for a LONG time!
Anonymous| Lay Minister | Orange | USA
 
We are a hugely mixed community of Europeans who chose English as their common language for worship, but almost none of us is a native speaker. Abandoning a fairly understandable language for a "latinified" English which even native speakers or people with a fair command of this language have to take second looks at (not to speak of what they'll understand if it's only read to them) is sheer madness. I feel sorry for our Church which disregards the needs of the majority of her flock in favour of fostering the nostalgia of some higher clergy.
Anonymous| Religious | Malines-Bruxelles | Belgium
 
Please use some common sense. In all honesty, my kids are bored to tears with the current words- don't make it worse. Don't alienate the poor, the uneducated, the illiterate with words that will create a greater divide in the liturgy!
James Miller| Lay Person | Detroit | USA
 
As a retired Catholic Liturgical Musician [ 50 yrs ] I am appalled at the lack of regard for the Faithful in this time of strife and severe economic difficulty. Just keep piling on more layers of frustration and conviction that no one really listens or cares. Where is common sense and/or indwelling of the Holy Spirit! Let us not be confounded !
Walter J. Hoag| Lay Minister | Columbus | USA
 
As someone who returned to the Catholic Church after many years as a minister in the Mennonite denomination, and now a hospital chaplain, I am dismayed to see the dismantling of one of the most life-giving events - Vatican II - in the history of the church.
James Croegaert| Lay Minister | Chicago | USA
 
I am 80 years of age. I am a psychotherapist and have a first class honours degree in English and many years of pastoral experience. I would like to see much more prayerful discernment, experimentation and drastic modification before the new translation becomes the norm.
Mary Grant| Religious | St Andrews & Edinburgh | Scotland
 
I'm not opposed in principle to the idea that the Mass needs a better translation, but this isn't it. I edit and translate Latin daily as part of my job. In fact I'm very fond of both the old and new forms of the Latin Mass. But the syntax and idiom of the new translation is so odd, I'd rather stick with the present translation - at least for the meanwhile. We wouldn't consider using such a literal translation of the Bible for public reading. Not even St Jerome's Vulgate follows the principles enunciated in Liturgiam authenticam. Neither does the old Catholic Douay translation of the Bible. Given that Scripture and Tradition (of which liturgy is part) bear the same authority in Catholic teaching, why do we accept these odd new principles of translation for the English Mass?
Nick Thompson| Lay Person | Auckland | New Zealand
 
The clerical church has always been very slow........ in making forward changes. Now they want to speed ahead with change to go backward. Go figure!
Donna Hartshorn| Lay Person | Boston | USA
 
Come Holy Spirit. We need you bad!
William Drobnick| Lay Minister | Archdiocese of Santa Fe | USA
 
Dear Bishops, As a a liturgist and musician I have seen great problems in the proposed new translations and prayers. Frequently they don't make sense, are not good English and are disturbing translations that are unfamiliar and not helpful at all to our prayer life as a community. It is obvious that more study is needed. There are enough serious issues that face us without changing the language of our prayer. There also has been no attempt to use inclusive language which WOULD help greatly in our liturgies. Please consider more study. Even a number of Bishops and many priests feel this is critical at this time.
Mary Louise Chesley-Cora| Lay Minister | Wilmington, DE | USA
 
What harm can there be in waiting?
Rosemary H. Smith| Lay Person | Louisville, KY | USA
 
I am not opposed to change - some of our current prayers, mass parts and responses are at best pedestrian and fall terribly short of the beauty that preceded them. On the other hand... convoluted sentence structure does nothing to convey the majesty or the theology that the new translations are seeking. Faithfullness to the Latin would actually mean a translation where the impact of the Latin - would not only make hair stand - but would move people to Arise for Christ, Sadly, the translation as I have read it - does neither. I like "Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof" - I really do; I can live with "and with your spirit" - but sentences with more than two clauses can't be proclaimed in any way that moves the hearts - or - in a way that can be followed by myriads of people in the US speaking English as their second language and worshipping as one body in a multi cultural format. There is no hurry - we have waited this long - lets take it back to the drawing board and get something that soars.
Linda Ballard, OSC| Lay Minister | Boston | USA
 
I am a 41-year-old Catholic with two small children, struggling but managing to bring them up in the faith. This, despite the routine perception in my social and cultural environment that the Catholic Church's pronouncements, attention and non-attention to critical social issues of today are getting ever more outrageous and indefensible; despite an atheist husband who regards the Catholic faith and practice as generally arcane; despite the fact that much of the wording of the mass and common prayers is hard to explain and teach to small children even in the current translation, not to mention the new one. I am also a linguist and as such, deplore the ugliness and unwieldiness of the new translations. Outwardly, the Catholic Church needs to focus on pressing issues of social injustice. Inwardly, it needs to focus on catching up with contemporary societies and social transformations to ensure it retains relevance. Not on rendering its language and its image still more inaccessible and arcane even to those, like me, who want to stay part of it.
Rosemary McGee| Lay Person | Southwark | UK
 
Wait and do it in 3010!!!!!
Mary Wier| Lay Person | Erie, Pennsylvania | United States of America
 
HASTE makes WASTE!
Barbara Williford| Lay Person | Richmond, VA | USA
 
I have read the changes and both sides of this controversy. My opinion is that: 1) The re-wording and phrasing in general, such as, for example, "consubstantial"(!) will be difficult to understand by a vast majority. 2) The re-wording seems to lose sight of the SPIRIT and ESSENCE of the Mass prayers, in favor of word-smithing, giving the impression of being driven by form over substance. 3) Still, I support as a sensible, effective next-step, starting with a pilot implementation. I also stand ready (and willing) to be convinced on the need for the change. I am sure I do not stand alone in this. I pray that the Church's view of a model Catholic is not an unquestioning Catholic. Otherwise, this effort would represent yet another instance that elicits the reaction: don't they (with all due respect to the theologians and Scriptural experts) have better things to do in the service of the Lord? I so love our Catholic faith; please, please, please, do not destroy it and drive me (and many, many others) away with what looks like a travesty!
Mabel Hoffman| Lay Minister | San Jose, CA | USA
 
I serve on our Diocesan Pastoral Council and there is a definite mood to slow this down.
Barbara Gerold| Lay Minister | Richmond | USA
 
i feel strongly that this is a good movement. I am impressed at its dignity and restraint. Enormously grateful for what the Church has done for me, and for my nourishing and sustaining faith, I nevertheless feel a gruesome pain that my Church has utterly ignored its mission to ALL of God's children. That my Church could undertake this recent effort to drive headstrong backwards to a world pre-Vatican II, after arrogantly disenfranchising women for 2 millenia, demonstrates how important it is to have an individual relationship with God. If Christ were still physically here and accessible, he would be slapping his head regularly. i will not give up on my Church, but it is making my efforts to influence my children and friends towards the faith that has been so valuable to me.
james w bergenn| Lay Minister | Hartford | USA
 
I am fully in agreement with the article and the statement of concern, and as a pastor charged with promulgating the new sacramentary, while I will not rant and rave against it from the pulpit, neither will I sugarcoat it, but I will calmly share with the people the history of its implementation, flaws as well as the initial intentions of the bishops.
Richard M. Homa| Priest | Chicago | U.S.A.
 
I am a teacher of Religious Education in a Catholic high school in England. I read about the new translation of the Mass in the Tablet this last week when my Headteacher showed it to me and I have to say that my heart sank. A central part of our mission as a Catholic school is to encourage our young people to be part of the liturgy, to help them to be part of worship and not passive observers of it. The 'new' language is inappropriate for every single aspect of the needs of the church. I feel that words like 'oblation' and 'consubstantial' and their use in liturgy in the 21st century may as well read 'inaccessible'. I also feel that where a translation more deeply rooted in the original Latin may seem to make the Mass more spiritual, in fact it may have the opposite effect and be merely superficial to many of the faithful. It is imperative that we see sense and hold on to those values which we hold dear. Values which Vatican II presented to the modern church. We must progress with the times.
Matthew Haworth| Lay Person | Salford | UK
 
Better to take time and get it right than rush and get it wrong.
William N Smith| Lay Person | Southwark | England
 
Simplicity & brevity are more likely to effectively communicate to the majority. Assuming the goal is to communicate and nurture fruitful spirituality, what's the rush?
Ed Whitwam, MAAT| Lay Person | St. Louis, MO | USA
 
I am not wishing to act in disagreement with my Church. I simply ask that I be allowed to join with my fellow catholics in determining a more simple manner in which we can celebrate in the clarity and richness which the English language allows.
Margaret Leahy| Lay Person | Melbourne | Australia
 
I have been a lifelong Catholic. I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, have been a registered member of St. Johns Cathedral, and attended a Catholic university in Spokane, Washington. I am disheartened to read that our Church is planning to change the language of the liturgy without much input from the base--the people this institution are supposed to support and nurture. I love the language of the liturgy as it currently stands--it is rich and certainly Catholic enough. I am nervous that the Church's priorities are not aligned with real world problems; this miscalculation and deliberate ignorance renders the Church ineffective with current Catholics and irrelevant to those who might otherwise convert or remain active. I implore all bishops from the United States to enter into these changes knowing full well the potential dangers in such circumventive efforts by the Mother Church, the theological shifts which would further confuse and alienate an already frustrated laity, and compel many of us to begin looking for more inclusive and forthright answers elsewhere. God Bless and thank you for your consideration.
Mary Katherine Moynihan| Lay Person | Boise, Idaho | United States
 
I don't understand why the hierarchy is trying to undo all the spirit-inspired changes to the liturgy. I prayerfully implore you to implement change slowly, experimentally. Listen to the people of God, Jesus' mystical body.
Mary Jane Edwards| Lay Minister | Bridgeport, CT | USA
 
Why do we not have a chose? and why are they trying to take the church backwards? as a youngish person in the church (32) with four son's that I am raising as roman Catholics and as a teacher working with young people every day I can not understand why Rome wants to push people away. The language used will be difficult at best for many young people to understand and those that do will find it uninspiring and lose interest in the church. We are losing people everyday because they don't see the point or simply don't understand what our religion is about. This is a huge step backwards!
joanna wilson| Lay Person | westminster | england
 
The church I attend, St. Mary's, in the German village is a gorgeous church and the people constituting the parish are wonderful. Yet, at every mass that I've attended at 11:30 am on Sundays, the church is not even half full. Furthermore, most of the parishioners are older or have families. There are not many that are single, young adults like me. I am already greatly concerned not only because they are simply not at mass, but also because of what I hear among them. Many are disillusioned with the church and increasingly feel their voices are not heard. I must admit, that I also feel very much that my voice is not heard and that the Vatican does not care about us anymore. Because of these feelings among my peers, I worry that if the Vatican chooses to go forward with this proposed roman missal translation, that it will be the breaking point for some of my peers. They will certainly view this as yet another way for the Vatican to shut out the young people. Thus, I sign my name on this petition with faith that the Vatican will listen to the people, show it cares for us, and wait before moving forth on this proposed roman missal translation.
Suzanne Lanier| Lay Person | Columbus | United States of America
 
It is important to listen to the voice of the Spirit magnified through the many whispers, shouts and screams of people - women and men - all over the globe. In faith we are all equal, Vatican II opened the doors to that and it will be detrimental to attempt to turn the clock back now.
Lynda Dearlove rsm| Religious | Westminster | UK
 
I welcome the new look into the Missal, as it gives us the opportunity to reflect on the prayers we say, the words we use, and to appreciate the Liturgy as a gift. However I am concerned, having read some of the proposed prayers in the 'New Missal', many of them seem to me, to be using an old style English language and not the one of today. While we need to respect the Latin language we cannot say it is the language God speaks in, for He is open to voices and languages of all people. There is a beautiful flow to many of the prayers we have in Paul VI Missal, where some of the prayers in the New Missal are 'cumbersome'. I agree that a consultation period with the people is need and necessary, and to 'try it in some places first.' I believe there is a danger that some will use the New Missal and others not, after all will not the Mass using the Missal we have now not be valid. For we have in the Church, the Ordinary Form and the Extraordinary form. Is there a danger we could have a third form, Paul VI Missal.
Patrick Winkle| Priest | Cloyne | Ireland
 
The genius of the English language consists in short, pithy sentences with words deriving from the Anglo-Saxon language. Many of the translations seem to go against the grain of our English culture. And why? It will be divisive. .....Many it would seem want a reform of the reform. But the reform in many places still has not really taken place. That is not surprising since it takes about three generations for a Council to really be embedded in the psyche of people To change now could fast track confusion among our people at warp speed.
Joseph Gosselin, M.S.| Priest | Lake Charles, LA | U.S.A.
 
Waiting on the Lord is an ancient tradition which honours the Holy Spirit's role in the Church.
Anne White| Lay Person | Southwark | England
 
you have my support - simple as that - and thank you!
Gina Bernasconi| Lay Person | Ballarat | Australia
 
Can this have a positive effect on the least democratic institution in the modern world? I doubt it, but let's try anyway.
stephen hoyland| Lay Minister | Lancaster | England
 
Thank you for encouraging priests and people to let our voices be heard. Too often we sit in the pew and let the changes take place around us. When we perceive a direction that will only allienate more in our church members let's see if we can change that direction.
Joan Schoofs| Lay Person | Chicago | USA
 
Thank you for doing something instead of muttering in circles of the like-minded! Those who would like to turn back the clock are so certain and have claimed the moral high ground. Those who are dismayed seem to be powerless to resist. Rabbits in the headlights? It is great to see some response, even if "the Church is not a democracy". Thank you!
jane sulis| Lay Person | sydney | australia
 
Once again we are being subjected to the Church acting in a hierarchical manner instead of a collegial manner. Top down authority without any consultation of the "people of God." Perhaps the intention is to drive away those of us who are struggling with what appears to be a reverting back to pre-Vatican II attitudes. I love my faith but I am constantly angry at my religion. As the saying goes, I haven't left my religion but it appears to be leaving me.
Philomena Karol| Lay Person | Raleigh | USA
 
I agree that that the Church needs to do more preliminary homework on this. Both to ascertain the usefulness of changing some of our liturgical language - because the vast majority of people I know are satisfied with the current translations - and to prepare for what changes - especially the "why" of them - may happen.
James Moran, CSP| Priest | Brooklyn | USA
 
Working in rural parishes of Central Minnesota ... within shouting distance to St. John's Abbey in Collegevile, a place of open liturgical discussion ... I would be hard pressed to assist in implementing the proposed changes to the language of our people's liturgy. Having been in sales my entire life ... it will take a herculean effort to sell this "new" translation to the good and holy people of this diocese.
Anonymous| Deacon | Diocese of St. Cloud | US
 
I can't believe that with all that is going on in the world today that this is our best way of spreading God's message....the time and money used to implement all of this is a waste of time, talent and treasure...what world and what economy are our Bishops living in that this what they've decided is a direction to be taken...their time would be better spent in a soup kitchen.
jeanne schneider| Lay Minister | chicago | usa
 
The current Missal is rich in meaning for me. It is very prayerful and resonates in my heart. The new translation is something I would read but not something I actually would say - it just isn't the way I think or speak.
Alberta Lorenz| Lay Minister | Sacramento | USA
 
using the terms in john o'malley's book, what happened at vatican ii?, this is a question of the center dictating to the periphery, considering the periphery to be incapable of knowing how our language should be used. i am also disappointed that our bishops seem to have rolled over and played dead on this issue.
mp caplice| Lay Person | rockville centre, ny | usa
 
Has anyone performed a cost-benefit analysis of these proposed changes? Most parishes are financially strapped at this time. Will this cumbersome language change in prayer and music enhance our worship experience to outweigh the cost of printed material and training? The world is in crisis. It seems there are many other concerns in which we should be investing our precious resources rather than "translations"!
Anonymous| Lay Person | St. Louis, Missouri | USA
 
What I have seen of the new format fills me with disquiet as does its introduction with no consultation amongst the laity. The few snippets that have been revealed fill me with great gloom. The expense of replacing all of the liturgical books, both for parishioners and clergy is huge. I wholeheartedly support this initiative to delay, to consult, and to experiment rather than imposing something that few people seem to want.
Marion Charley| Religious | Leeds | England
 
Prayer, faith and fasting can move mountains, so united we stand, praying that the spirit of the Lord open the eyes of the blind that they may see the light and be receptive to the feelings and aspirations of the people of God.
Anonymous| Lay Minister | Southwark, London | United Kingdom
 
Prayerfully consider that all immigrants in the USA already experience cultural, language, ethnic, and racial barriers. Do not add any more burdens to our communities. It is difficult enough to try to worship in English and if you impose another language on us it will make it extremely hard to be a part of the faith community. We are already losing many of our families to protestant and evangelical churches. Why? because their liturgical services are joyful, simple, and they do not impose yet one more language. Who will benefit from this change? think carefully. In Christ, Luz
Luz Corcuera| Lay Person | Venice, Florida | USA
 
As a recently initiated new Catholic who has attended the Catholic church regularly for the past 15 years, I am still trying to learn and understand the current liturgy. To me, it makes no sense to change what the majority of Catholics have grown up with and feel comfortable with. I believe the current liturgy, though complex, is expressed beautifully. Why would we suddenly want to change everything and make it more difficult for the average lay person? I vehemently oppose such changes as I desire to become more in tune with the liturgy rather than become totally confused! Those who will be most detrimentally affected, I believe, are we senior citizens who are stubbornly opposed to change!
Diane Clemmer| Lay Person | Charlotte | USA
 
I se no urgency on this matter and can remember the confusion and bewilderment in parishes during the last changes. We must learn the lessons from the past. I support the changes being piloted before a total roll-out.
John Burnett| Lay Person | St Andrews & Edinburgh | Scotland
 
We are happy to add our support to this critical effort. Our liturgies should be celebrated with the most beautiful expressions possible. We pray that the Holy Spirit, who inspired our representatives and leaders at Vatican II, will come to our aid again in this undertaking.
Joseph and Patricia Foley| Lay Person | Boston | USA
 
"The genius of Latin and the genius of English are so dissimilar that a literal rendering would be almost unreadable. For English readers, Latin sentences, and sometimes groups of sentences, must often be turned inside out." Robert Graves introduction to The Twelve Caesars. Pity the so-called translators of the new version of the missal didn't read this first
Bernard Fyles| Lay Person | Liverpool | United Kingdom
 
As an Anglican youngster I stood in awed admiration for the vast monolith of the Cathoic Church but very much outside it. Then I grew up. In my mid teens Vatican II happened, and I knew that I needn't be an outsider any more and eventually 'came home'. And so I continued to grow & develop (hopefully) with Normativa, and knowing that it could be celebrated with dignity, integrity and beauty. How many will become alienated from the Church by reason of this enforced new translation - especially those many (young) people already on the edge. We know the Eucharist is the beating heart of the Church. I truly fear that this attempted return to the fortress which I admired in my immaturity will become the cause of a true schism within the family of my grown up mature Catholicism
Norman Jacobson| Priest | Middlesbrough | England
 
The four transcendentals are: the One, the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. These literal Latinist translations of the liturgy violate the beauty of the English language, harm the common good, introduce disunity among the people of God and and are unfaithful to the spirit of Vatican II. Let's wait and see if these translations speak to the People Of God.
John Edwards| Lay Person | Archdiocese of Sydney | Australia
 
I have been trying to work with this translation. It is so unmusical! It also uses words that are just not a part of our vocabulary. No one can really be serious that "consubstantial with the Father" is better and more meaningful than "one in being with the Father"! The Glory is musically just bad poetry and very clumsy. I have been a music minister in the church for 58 years. The use of this translation is without doubt a sin against the people of God.
R. J. McKenzie Sullivan| Lay Minister | Seattle | USA
 
I hold University degrees in English, Law, Music and Education and believe that the proposed changes render the language of the Mass awkward and unclear. I am a practicing Catholic and would prefer the rites of the church to be characterised by 'noble simplicity'. If the Mass is to continue to be celebrated in the vernacular as decreed by the Holy See in Vatican II the English translation should be beautiful and not the banal literalistic translation that I have seen proposed. As a working church musician, I see the new translations as a missed opportunity characterised by power struggles and church politics with almost no concern for the enrichment of the prayer of the laity. Most of my congregation do not know Latin and will therefore end up singing musical settings of the mass marred by awkward English. In terms of the evangelisation of those outside the church, the new texts are simply an embarrassment.
Anthony Young| Lay Person | Brisbane | Australia
 
In many ways the Church no longer speaks for us and to us.
Mr. and Mrs. Gene and Doris Peters| Lay Person | Phoenix | USA
 
Thus far, bringing a dictionary to the Eucharist seems like a way of embracing the new Roman Missal translation, however, several of the words added to the Missal are not in current American Heritage or Websters Collegiate dictionaries. Correct grammar is lacking in the translations and the vocabulary chosen is not in common usage as prescribed by the Vatican II Documents on the Liturgy.
Maureen Pergola| Lay Person | Cleveland | USA
 
It was Wittgenstein who said that we control our language but our language also controls us. We is not a royal title for the bishops, we is the sensus fidelium.
John Quinn| Lay Person | St. Catharines | Canada
 
If the goal is to make the Church seem as irrelevant as possible by pursuing form over substance, Rome is accomplishing that mission. Sadly, many wonderful and devoted Catholics, who feel powerless and unheard, are systematically being alienated from their own Church.
John Boyle| Lay Person | Minneapolis-St. Paul | USA
 
I am delighted to see people standing up and taking a stance. We are an educated prayerful peoples and can think for ourselves.
Geri Ann Johnson| Lay Person | Spokane | USA
 
The more I read and learn about the new translations, the more I feel we do need to put the brakes on a bit, and give them a "pilot" period. Trying things on for size may avoid some really serious problems down the line. Thank you for this initiative, and for helping us all to reflect together on what will be best for our liturgical futures.
Janice Farnham| Religious | BOSTON | US
 
As a Catholic liturgist, I urge you undertake the pilot program.
Margaret Costello| Lay Person | Washington, DC | USA
 
Why cause mass confusion for millions of English speakers during the Eucharist when there is no question of a doctrinal or moral issue?
J. Robert Fenili| Priest | Chicago | USA
 
I have not seen the new translation but as my parish priest is in favour it worries me - he would like to return to the Tridentine rite for all masses!!
John Andrews| Lay Person | Southwark | England
 
As a mother and grandmother I am appalled. My two grandsons -ages eight and ten come to mass with me. They attempt to read the mass missalette. Just imagine them trying to read that most unchild friendly translation!!!!!. This is a sure way to turn young children off religion. It is also elitist as only the well educated could understand such a preposterously cerebral translation. It is certainly head with no heart.
Ruth Brenock| Lay Person | Cloyne | Ireland
 
I think "just waiting" is a good idea. However, this is more about a power struggle between the Am. Church and Rome. Someone with courage - and preferably, a miter - should address this!
Mary Margaret Weber| Religious | Raleigh, NC | USA
 
Fear of losing power and credibility often causes the misuse of authority to re-claim the power and credibility, only to more quickly erode what is left. It is sad to see an outmoded leadership and management structure lose it's grip and focus so much time and effort controlling the what it can instead of what it should. Latin was the language of the rich and powerful of the vast and powerful Roman Empire. It became the official language of the Church, but the ancient texts were written in the common man's language - Greek. Latin is a dead language. English is fast becoming the common language. Shouldn't the language of the our liturgy be alive for today?
Anonymous| Deacon | Archdiocese of Hartford | USA
 
In my 83 years of life I have been so pleased that the church has made my life more and more meaningful by making it possible for me to participate and grow. It would be wonderful to know that we can now have input into such things as this decision.
Marguerite Somers| Religious | Vancouver | Canada
 
English is a language used in many parts of this planet, but it is not the same English that is spoken here in UK or in North America etc. Local usage is being ignored. It is time that Bishops exercised their rights and responsibilities within their own diocese and just said no. The Vatican is trying to drive centrally issues that should be settled locally. When Newman wrote to Ullathorne at Vatican I in regard to the Infallibility decree he pointed out that this was not of concern to many and asked "why cannot the people be left in peace?" We could well echo his words. Chris McDonnell Retired Headteacher February 2010
Chris McDonnell| Lay Person | Birmingham | England
 
Each day, I am more and more disappointed with the "official" Church --- resistance to admitting to and repenting of the sexual abuse scandal; the investigation of the sisters in the US; the appointment of a very traditional bishop to oversee appointments of US bishops; and the statement of the Vatican liturgist Msgr. Guido Marini concerning proposed changes to the liturgy, including reception of Communion on the tongue. And, of course, this perfectly awful translation of the Roman liturgy. It seems that the forces intent on wiping Vatican II from the Church are out to win some kind of perceived battle with those of us who want nothing more than the Church that was envisioned by that council --- inclusive, just, and pastoral.
Constance Furseth| Religious | Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon | USA
 
Reluctantly signed! I think the examples of translation provided are clumsy and not an improvement on today's wording. However I am worried that movements like yours can develop an energy not envisaged, which may result in unwanted divisions. It might be a good thing if we, who do not like parts of the new translation, also took things quietly and trusted the Holy Spirit to look after His Church .
ita Sheehan| Lay Person | Brentwood | England
 
Language matters, and this effort from the Vatican tells me that it's one more way of doing everything it can to return to the restrictive, unpastoral days of pre-Vatican II. Is there any other Council of the Church in its history that has been undermined so quickly? I doubt it.
Susan Burke| Lay Minister | Arlington | USA
 
What is the purpose for the proposed new translation? Doctrinal; Educational; Spiritual; Moral????
Christine Carter| Lay Person | Southwark | England
 
We have had as yet no preparation, consultation or justification for the changes. As a language teacher I teach that if one gets too close to the original text there is as much danger of losing the text's intended meaning as moving too far away from it. Some of the examples I have seen are in a quite leaden English which gives a feeling of being weighed down rather than lifted up.
Stephen D'Arcy| Lay Person | Lancaster | United Kingdom
 
As a member of a Catholic secondary school faculty, I would be unable to explain convincingly why the Church is opting for some translations that, although slavishly faithful to a dead language, inhibit understanding by many English speakers, especially youth, and often violate the principles of clear syntax that teachers are trying to inculcate.
Benedict Oliver, FSC| Religious | Pittsburgh | USA
 
Please let us pray as we live--- reverting to ancient language will not resonate with the reality of God in our everyday-- God is I AM and NOT .... I USED to be!!!
Sr Marcia Baumert| Religious | OMaha | USA
 
Using language that is not part of peoples live today, will make God seem more remote.
Sr. Maeve Kelly| Religious | Clifton | U,K
 
Big trouble is coming over these absurd changes if indeed there is a mandate that they be implemented. Is it any wonder that the second largest group of Christians in this country are fallen away Catholics. There's a time when even Bishops need to listen to the people. These changes have no, none, not one spec of intelligence. Change is a good thing only when it makes sense. Using words such as "consubstantial" and phrases such as "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof" makes absolutely no sense. The motives of those who are pursing these changes need to be examined. Indeed, the entire process within the Church that has given credence to such an absurdity should be called into question.
Larry Payne| Lay Person | Owensboro Kentucky | USA
 
I am a liturgist and musician. I too am very concerned about the adverse effect this new translation will have without sound trial and evaluation by the people of God. I am also concerned about the emphasising of the concept of "sin" in the text for the penitential rite. It seems the assembly bears the burden of this! What has been taken away is the communal nature of the texts between the priest and the people and replaced with a separateness of priest and people. This is not helpful theologically, or pastorally. The text seems to take us back to a more authoritarian age where the assembly could be put in a lower, more insignificant place within the liturgy and the priest resume a more powerful, more important, imposing one. The reforms on the Constitution on the Liturgy from Vat 2 are not reflected here in the new text. Why discount such spirit filled grace which we are still learning from and growing with? Where is the prayer and communal discernment here?
Mary Diggins| Lay Person | Sydney | Australia
 
Too expensive to implement for poor dioceses, and too divisive for the English speaking Church in general. Forced move. Bad, bad, bad....
Anonymous| Priest | Cubao | Philippines
 
When there is concern about division by theologians and teachers of scripture and liturgy it would be prudent to give more time for deliberation by trialling the new Roman Missal in a number of well prepared parishes in all countries - seeking the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in a good cross section of the church and its people. We have precious Gospel ideals to share such as freedom, respect, collegial design, shared decision-making and subsidiarity. These ideals grow out of the virtues of faith,trust,hope and fidelity. Haste not !
JOHN FRANCIS KELLY| Lay Person | LISMORE | AUSTRALIA
 
As a marketing research professional, I know first hand the importance of testing to gauge peoples' interpretation of and response to communications before rolling communications out on a mass/national basis. It's not just about the "right" words, it's about the words that best build the relationship and guide the people to take desired actions.
Martha Lee Wicklin| Lay Minister | Atlanta | USA
 
It is unfortunate that a decision that affects so many is being made by so few. I pray that our church does not become a museum that people visit out of curiosity, but a place where vibrant worship evangelizes the world.
Phyllis Cardona| Lay Minister | Albany | USA
 
I am a committed, practicing Catholic but have only now, through lay networking, been made aware of the proposed changes! Thank God we are "a long way from Rome and the seas are vast"
Geoff McLaughlin| Lay Person | Rockhampton | Australia
 
Prayer, prophets, and the People of God in our parish faith communities are our best offense.
Anonymous| Priest | Ogdensburg, NY | U..S.A.
 
I love the current Liturgy. I pray that the Holy Spirit will truly enlighten the hearts and minds and souls and spirits of the bishops and liturgists and Hold Father and all who are studying and considering changes. May the will of God be done!
Stephanie M. Fairchild| Lay Person | Steubenville | United States of America
 
When I read the article in AMERICA I did not "sign on". I did not think that any number of signatures could stop the Vatican machine. Now, I am wholeheartedly adding my name. Who knows? It may cause the Vatican to "think again".
Kevin Mc Hugh| Priest | Manila | Philippines
 
You've been running ads asking us to "come back home." Well, THIS is why we left!!!
Anonymous| Lay Person | Archdiocese of Chicago | USA
 
"First, do no harm". A bedrock guide for Hippocrates and for bishops as well.
Patrick Henry| Lay Minister | Cleveland | United States
 
I am concerned that the work over many years by the ICEL appears not to have been given sufficient weight.
Elizabeth Bongie| Lay Person | Vancouver | Canada
 
Upon learning that St. Methodius, whom he had supported in his mission to the Slavs, had begun celebrating the Eucharist in Slavonic, Pope John VIII replied to Methodius' scandalized critics: "He who made three main languages--Hebrew, Greek, and Roman--also made all the other languages to sing his praise and glory." (John O'Malley, SJ, A History of the Popes: NY: Sheed and Ward, 2009, p. 79). Let us praise God in the glories of the English language, not in some Latinized version whose awkwardness is reminiscent of the English in Chinese fortune cookies.
John R. Mooney| Lay Person | Arlington, VA | USA
 
The process outlined for experimenting is a sensible and democratic way of arriving at supported progress. There are no losers when we work together with good will. There are no winners when we go ahead without good-willed followers, in a matter that has to do with something essential to them. Why not slow down till people are on board? It's just common sense!
Lucille Corrigan, cnd| Religious | Toronto | Canada
 
I have been following this issue for some time. I am a friend of Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, PA (we are both alumni of the Jesuit Theology school at Innsbruck, Austria). I have been discussing this with many friends at our local parish churches; to be honest, I am afraid not too much will happen with this petition. Most Sunday church-going Catholics don't know about it, and probably really won't care. I hope I'm wrong - but am worried.
Joseph Koechler| Lay Person | Orlando | USA
 
As a member of my PPC, I am one of those who will have to bear the load of ensuring the people of God are properly prepared for this change - a change that I do not feel is either wanted nor properly prepared. For example - I have not been formally given notice of the change... and am told that it Will happen, is not a point about which there can be discussion!
John P Andrews| Lay Minister | Clifton | UK
 
My great regret at the time of the original translations was the poor quality of the translations. Now we are being treated to an even poorer quality, done so for ideological reasons. The whole process only invites celebrants to continue amending and correcting the text so that the it has some resemblance to the English that the congregation speaks.
Rev. James W. Lothamer| Priest | Lansing | USA
 
Of all the challenges facing our Church and society at this time, for the Vatican and US Bishope to be so concerned with something trivial as this is immoral. the resources going into this project should be used to further the mission of the Church. Besides, there are some instances in this new "translation" that do not conform to the stated purpose in the first place. We are told that the changes are necessary so the English is an "exact translation" of the Latin. In the Penitential Rite, the Latin word "Maxima" is rendered in English as "most grievous". Why the double standard? This whole enterprise is going to further erode any credibility the bishops still may have. If thinking, spiritual Catholics are going to leave the Church in the next few years, the question needs to be once again asked: Who is driving them out?! God forgive us!
Fr. Lon Konold, OMI| Religious | Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate | USA
 
I am a 12 year old and don't want to go back to the dark ages!!!!!!!!!
sophie warden| Lay Person | Lancaster | UK
 
A "road Test" is a great idea. A few of the proposed changes seem ok others are ridiculous and should be canned immediately. Whatever "committee" made the decision for these changes is simply out of touch with the people of God.
Anonymous| Religious | San Jose | USA
 
The fallout from the MURPHY REPORT in this country, is a very salient reminder to all of us, of where the lack of consultation with Pobal De(the Laity) has gotten us, and adopting Mother Church knows best gets us....
Kevin .B. Clancy & Helen M Clancy| Lay Person | CORK & ROSS | IRISH REPUBLIC
 
I teach at Notre Dame and work with Catholic School teachers, administrators and coaches. I am concerned not only with the proposed changes but with the process that has led to them. As a psychologist, I am dismayed that no input has been solicited, no focus groups run, no real experiementation. This is bottom down administration at is worst. I am appalled that Bishops have not taken a stand.
Clark Power| Lay Person | Fort Wayne/South Bend, IN | USA
 
I have come to love the straightforward so-called "street language" of the current English translation. There is more than a suspicion that "street language", the vernacular of the common people, was favoured by Jesus. Let's keep it.
Donal Leader| Religious | Dublin | Ireland
 
Language is at its best when it is invisible, when it renders the intended meaning without getting in the way. The proposed translations are flowery and preposterous. They invite ridicule and as such discredit the Word of God. If the proposed translations are adopted, the Church's already flagging credibility will get another kick in the head. I am a lay person. There needs to be some recognition of the reality that lay people support the Church in manifold ways - physically, intellectually, spiritually, morally, financially - What if we just said wait? Sorry, that's too mild: this lay person says an unequivocal "No".
Anonymous| Lay Person | Lancaster | England, UK
 
Not convinced "waiting" will achieve much. Could not the emphasis switch to the Bishops firmly and respectfully advising the Pope that they are not prepared to introduce such unnecessary changes ?
Nola Drake| Lay Minister | Auckland | New Zealand
 
So glad to see some effort being made to prevent this new translation being imposed on us. In the present mood in the Irish Church, with all of us trying to come to grips with the fall-out from the reports on clerical child abuse, this liturgical imposition could be disastrous. People here are now questioning the whole exercise of authority in the Church, and this could confirm all their worse fears. It could be the final straw that would drive people out of the Church.
Tony Flannery| Religious | Clonfert (Redemptorist Community) | Ireland
 
i have experienced the proposed changes in South Africa where they have been introduced in the Diocese of Durban. I find them cumbersome and archaic and i think they will cause confusion and dismay at a time when, as a church, we are trying to reach out to the world using modern means of language and communication. I would welcome a trial period as suggested and a proper assessment after that.
philip marsh cssp| Priest | salford | UK
 
Why is there a need for a new translation? The answer given to this question in the FAQ section on the USCCB website completely fails to explain (how did they ever publish such a hopeless 'answer'?). As a Classics graduate myself, I know that there is no such thing as a perfect translation of any Latin text. All translations have their own strengths and weaknesses and I could only see merit in replacing the current version if it were clearly bad - which I do not believe it is. The new version appears to be more literal and less idiomatic, which I fear is likely to make the church appear less relevant to those outside it or to doubtful insiders.
George Fitzsimons| Lay Person | Arundel and Brighton | United Kingdom
 
I do so agree with your proposal and I also believe that in loyalty we need to let the hierarchy of the Church know that we, too, are church and care about how we live out our membership of the Church. I pray that the leadership of the Church be open and exercise its authority not as power but as relational.
Mary Shanahan| Religious | Sydney | Australia
 
I fully concur with your proposal - almost all other large (secular) organisations would undertake one or more tests (pilot studies) to check the workability of a new system, product, service. But not, it would seem, the Catholic Church, HQ Rome. This proposal is a classic instance of Rome imposing its preferred solution but without using any of the useful tools learned in the secular world over the last 100 years (quite apart from the theological insights to flow from Vatican II). It's as if Rome willfully operates in a separate and parallel universe; which may account for the persistent clerical and authoritarian culture, and the unfortunate consequences that have been so comprehensively documented in recent decades. What would Jesus advise his followers? One imagines a non-judgemental comment based on love and common sense - and a willingness to allow for our human frailties: certainly not a 'do this or else'... (which is Rome's characteristic trademark).
Anthony Quail| Lay Person | Portsmouth | England UK
 
The South African Bishops introduced the new translation, mistakenly thinking they had being given the go-ahead by Rome. Reactions from the parishes, as expressed regularly in the "Southern Cross" Catholic newspaper, were mostly negative. So here we had an unintended pilot-project, and the results are there for all to see. But are the bishops of the English-speaking world learning from this? It seems not.
Noel Brennan ofm cap| Priest | Lusaka | Zambia
 
Quite apart from the fact that, as a professional translator, I believe the over-literal nature of the proposed translations for the liturgy to be poor workmanship, I am disturbed by the foisting of this totally unnecessary change onto clergy and laity alike. To my mind, it is just one more step in a campaign by a cabal of ultra-conservatives within the upper echelons of the Curia - along with the championing of the Tridentine mass, the fascination with returning old-style vestments and paraphernalia to use, and the mystifying determination to rehabilitate the lunatic fringe that is the Society of Pius X (mystifying unless, of course, it is the preferred model for the Church as a whole in the future) - to return the Church to pre-Conciliar times. I agree with Father Michael's assessment that the Church is faced with so many pressing issues that this agenda seems "at best trivial and at worst hopelessly out of touch". I would go further - it is fiddling while Rome burns.
Hugo James| Lay Person | Clifton | England
 
Could someone please explain honestly (no marketing spiel) why the Vatican ( or Pope Benedict ?) is pushing to implement these so called reforms? What are the issues they are supposed to overcome? Has someone undertaken some form of risk analysis on the issues and these liturgical solutions? Are they an appropriate problem/solution fit? Please don't keep us in the dark.
Anonymous| Lay Person | Canberra Goulburn | Australia
 
I sincerely hope the Introduction of the new missal will be delayed - indefinitely - in Ireland. We have other matters to worry about here.
Dairne Mc Henry| Religious | Dublin | Ireland
 
After mass recently, When I politely asked the new young priest at one of the churches in our town if he and we could please simply "for us" rather than "for us men and for our salvation," (a phrase which had not been used in our church for many years) , noting rather lightly that I was not "a man", he said in a stern and wooden fashion, " I follow the translation of the universal church" Why had this changed?", I inquired. "I follow the translation of the universal church and this means all mankind." while this may seem a minor thing in itself, It is a harbinger of things to come, clearly and for me it was a canary in the mine. We will go back to the old ways Priest on high, lay people (esp. women) very much below, which were exclusive and elitist and to me, very un-Christlike.
Anonymous| Lay Person | Helena | USA

When one looks at the prelates involved in this process are we surprised at the standard of translation. What of the cost of all of this - the purchase of new missals etc - in a time of recession ? Language has changed dramatically over the last few decades and this needs to be taken into account. This whole process is not being done with good healthy growth in mind but simply so Rome can tighten up on this. Power, control and authority are at the heart of all of this. And surely the Spirit never works in this way. Has anyone thought that as large numbers of Catholics only go to Mass now and again the bulk of the people may simply never learn the responses.
Priest| Priest | Westminster | UK
 
I am a Salesian of Don Bosco and have been involved in education at various levels for many years. I consider the request to 'wait' and to pilot the revised liturgy - in parishes and among young people in schools and universities - to be eminently responsible. Such consultation recognises all of us as 'the people of God' dignified by baptism with the right to be involved in helping to assist those responsible to produce liturgical texts that speak in a language that is understood and enables us to turn to God and each other in prayer and service.
James Gallagher| Priest | Liverpool | Great Britain
 
This act of vandalism - the new Latinate translation - has been foisted on the worldwide English-speaking Church by a small cohort in the Vatican. Those who should have resisted it - the Irish and other bishops - hadn't the moral courage to stand up and be counted. I look forward to a campaign not just to wait and see but to reinstate the Paul VI Mass as an option, a decision I imagine many priests will make for themselves.
Fr Brendan Hoban| Priest | Killala | Ireland
 
I wholeheartedly agree with this proposal. How can we pray in language which affronts us. The proclamation that Christ died for "many' not 'all' is the last straw for me.
Margaret Merrigan| Religious | Sandhurst | Australia
 
Age 23, I am the only person I know not of the cloth who actually knows the Latin Mass, having learned it as an extra credit project in high school. This seems hopelessly out of date for the Church, especcially considering the real battles Catholics are facing. Church concepts are hard enough to understand without verbosity. Keeping the Mass clear and understandable is essential.
Lauren| Lay Person | New York City | USA
 
I have spent some time listening to the audio introduction from the Bishop. I have also read the revisions. I feel sad about the changes for many reasons, one of which I will share. I am a 30 year convert to Christianity and was received into full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil 1984. One of the most important motivations for me becoming Catholic was the healing experience of the Mass. For me, the healing experience of praying the Mass is directly tied to the Liturgical wording of the Mass. The words, "Lord I am not worthy to receive you...." were a daily and weekly prayerful mantra for me as I battled a decade long struggle with mental and emotional pain. I will never say, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof...." It has no personal meaning even though I thoroughly understand it's Scriptural basis. The Bishops may think that all the changes will lead to a more meaningful and authentic worship, but all I see is a mass exodus out Catholic Church doors. I'm not sure I can reconcile my own journey with the imposing changes.
Janis Parker| Lay Person | Milwaukee, WI | USA
 
Its hard enough to pass on the faith to young people today, without having to insist that they participate in a liturgy which turns the unfolding of sacred liturgy into laughable pedantry. The use of the vernacular was intended to make possible full participation in the celebration of sacred liturgy. This is only possible if the language in the vernacular can rise to the mystery and grandeur of the occasion. Translation requires finding the the words and images that express the meaning of the original. No flatfooted literal and pedantic translation can achieve that dignity and grandeur.
Jill Ker Conway| Lay Person | western Massachusetts | U.S.A.
 
I am in total agreement with Fr Ryan.......he is speaking for thousands of priests and lay people
Rev Joseph G Finnerty| Priest | Diocese of Norwich, CT. | USA
 
A time of experimentation gives opportunity for assessing the effects of the text on the Faithful and will surely help to avoid more splits within our beloved Church.
Catherine Noonan OCD| Religious | Leeds | UK
 
The bits of the new translation I have read are almost as bad as the English used to be in the 1962 Missals! No-one speaks like this. We want to talk to our God as Father in a language with which we are comfortable. It isn't even good pompous English!
MICHAEL RUSSELL| Lay Person | SALFORD | ENGLAND
 
It is appalling to think that the Roman Catholic Church is inadvertently further separating ourselves from our mainstream Protestant brothers and sisters who have adjusted their liturgical language to be closer to ours. This is another barrier to ecumenism. Let's take this process much slower.
Br. John R. Eustice, C.S.V.| Religious | Chicago | USA
 
If they could summon up enough collective courage our bishops in the English speaking world could reverse a decision designed to drag us all kicking and screaming back to the 1950s.
Edward John Butler| Priest | Birmingham | United Kingdom
 
I totally support this initiative but how sad (and what does it say about our Church) that so many feel the need to remain anonymous.
Denis Nickle| Lay Person | Wagga Wagga | Australia
 
I belong to a parish where the new order of the mass was introduced and kept up for a good few weeks until the majority of the parishioners through the Parish Council decided to revert back to the familiar ways. Despite the fact that we had lots of copies made of the leaflet for the congregation to use and to get familiar with, people would take them home and forget to bring them back or come late to church and have none to read of. So there was a constant echo of old and new responses in the congregation which at the end was so irritating as well as having to keep your eyes constantly on that pamphlet that there was absolutely no spontaneity of responses anymore and the Mass lost all its meaning as one would try to keep up to the new responses. We the Catholic Church put so much emphasis on the container that the actual content which is ones relationship with God gets lost. Guess what will happen when one gets nothing out of Mass anymore except irritation, one wont go anymore!
Monique Beyeler| Lay Person | Pretoria | South Africa
 
The most recent reply "In Defense of the New Missal" to Msgr. Ryan's America article is a very lame effort to defend the new translations. What no one seems to be able to answer, however, is whatever happened to the 1998 ICEL translations of the Roman Missal?
Craig B. McKee, Hong Kong| Lay Person | Hong Kong | China
 
Sorry for being a bit late in reacting but I just caught up with this article... I could not believe my eyes... it said so much of what I would like to say. I was ordained in '62 and looked forward to such great opening for the people of god. I have watched this seem to turn backward. This situation is regrettable for sure. It seems to be another example of leaving such an important and vital part of the church without a voice, the laity! ...are we not members of the one body???
Rev. Donald Doherty M.M.| Priest | Religious society | USA
 
I am the coordinator of Music Ministry for our parish and also a composer of liturgical music. I have been involved in music ministry since 1976. I foresee great difficulties in setting these new translations to music. We will lose all the well known and effective settings of Eucharistic acclamations that our communities have become confident in singing. I wonder if we will frustrate, alienate and ultimately lose people in the effort of adopting these awkward new translations.
Cathy Tisel Nelson| Lay Minister | Winona | MN
 
Please let us prayerfully, carefully and with love, take our time and review this latest translation at the diocesan & parish level. Our Church world is already in turmoil. This project surely should not, can not, take precedence over more immediately pressing issues. Our current translation has been absorbed into our culture over the past three decades and more as we pray in unison week after week. We understand the prayers of the celebrant. We understand our responses. Thanks to be to God!
Emma Stephenson-Smith| Lay Minister | Portland, Maine | USA
 
As a Confirmation catechist and RE resource designer for schools and parishes I am concerned that the changes might be implemented without appropriate catechesis and evaluation. Systematic evaluation in selected parishes for one year would demonstrate the Church's commitment to "full active and conscious participation" in the liturgy and respect for the concept of "reception" by the ecclesial community.
Bridie Stringer| Lay Person | Portsmouth | England
 
I have a licenciate in Liturgy from St. Anselmo in Rome in 1981. Since then teacher and animator in Liturgy. The more literal translation proposed will be non sense here if we have to do the same in the African Languages. African have such a sense of obedience and fidelity that they might accept it blindly in the same way they accepted the Latin. Will it help? NO.
MATHOREL Gilles| Priest | Lusaka (Missionaries of Africa) | Zambia
 
I am deeply saddened by this liturgy: by its use of what seems to me to be archaic language, by the sexism of it and by what seems to me to be, the fear behind it. I wonder why the Bishops do not feel it can wait? I wonder why there seems to be such fear and disregard for the 98% of the church which we call Lay people? (why do we have to make these distinctions anyway?) . I wonder how it might be possible to help the Bishops and most especially, the curia truly to understand what is happening and to stop blaming everyone but themselves for the troubles of the institutional church right now.
Judith Leckie| Lay Person | Toronto | Canada
 
I am a trained translator, and find it unbelievable that word-for-word translations should be held to be better than versions which are true to the spirit of the original, but also to the rhythms of the target language. I fear that a lot of harm will result from this new translation, which in my view is very much a backward step.
Lisette Blanchet Ball| Lay Person | Southwark | England
 
As a biblical scholar, I find it intriguing that more attention has been paid to the English translation of the text of the Mass than to the Scriptures proclaimed therein. After all, the biblical translation chosen does not conform to formal dynamism which seems so dear to those who support the new Mass translation
Thomas f. Magill Ph.D| Priest | Motherwell | Scotland
 
I believe that aspects of the new translation will cause serious division between priests, and between priests and people. In our present situation in Ireland, with so many of the lay faithful so angry with the mishandling of the "clerical child abuse cases", the new missal will be seen as further evidence of a Church out of touch with its people and as an imposition of a "clerical church". I strongly support your suggestion of a limited pilot programme for one liturgical year followed by an objective evaluation.
Edward O'Donnell| Priest | Down and Connor | Ireland
 
Reading the heartfelt pleas of other signatories one cannot be but moved by the commitment to and affection all have for their church. Unfortunately this loyalty and love is under threat from an insensitive reversion to pre Vatican II. As a student classicist good translation was for me an art rather than a science - this version has a very mechanical feel to it.
Anonymous| Lay Person | Leeds | UK
 
The new translation was introduced in my country without any preparation of the people, and precious little help was offered to priests. Several bishops simply told their clergy to get on with it, "to read it over a few times and get used to it", and that it was no use complaining since Rome had already spoken. Priests and religious who have written articles questioning the translation, the document on which it is based, or its means of implementation have been marginalised by those at the bishops' conference who oversee matters liturgical. The vast majority of English-speaking laity dislike the new prayers. Some now attend Mass less often, or drive to a parish where the priest will not use the new Order of Mass. A few have left for the Anglican Church.
Thomas Plastow, SJ| Priest | Johannesburg | South Africa
 
I joined the Catholic church at age 40 and post Vatican 2. I am no Latin scholar and only know the Mass in the version as used in New Zealand. It may not be the best translation, but it is entirely comprehensible, and certainly much more elegant than some of the examples published in The Tablet of 16 January 2010. In due course we will be asked to attend meetings to prepare us for the changes and to have them explained to us, but without much chance for debate in any constructive way. I speak, think. and pray in English as used in NZ and would struggle to find credibility in examples of the new version I have read. We should say wait before it is too late!
Neville Moar| Lay Minister | Christchurch | New Zealand
 
I too was in St. Peter's Square when the signing of Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy was promulgated in December 1963, and looked forward to the changes that were bound to come, following its publication. There was talk about inculturation. What has happened about this as far as the English language is concerned? Tarring Americans, Australians, British and all other English speakers with the same brush as far as appropriate translations is concerned is an absolute denial of these very differing cultures, and for that reason alone the implementation of the new translation ought to be delayed, to test its relevance to the varying cultures.
Fr. Abel van der Veer OSA| Priest | Brisbane | Australia
 
I strongly endorse this call to wait and proceed with caution in introducing these new translations. As one who was asked to comment during their preparation, I felt that the concerns of those who tried to point to difficulties with the new texts were completely ignored! May this call by the People of God be heard and acted upon.
Kenneth Heffernan| Lay Person | Maitland-Newcastle | Australia
 
I happened upon your article in the London Tablet. How wonderful to see that someone has taken the initiative. to start something of this nature. Surely it has to be better than the plan of a lot of priest friends of mine which is to simply ignore the new translation in favour of the 1969 Missale Romanum. One thing I have learned through hard experience is that we are not an egalitarian church we are priest centric to the core which makes the likelihood of something as bold as this initiative seem the less likely to succeed however I believe we live in hope and therefore I humbly add my name to the signatures list and add my voice to the call to wait.
Hilary Stewart Keenan| Lay Person | Auckland | New Zealand
 
Cradle Catholics now in our late sixties and both lay ministers of the Eucharist, we are horrified that the assembled expertise from around the world was ruthlessly ignored. With my retired English teacher's experience I am incensed at a return to words like "consubstantial" and "oblation", and as a joyful recipient of the Good News I am not crushed in the manner that the "grievous fault" and "bowed down" wording implies. My husband and I want the Lord to be with our bodies, not just our spirits, as the new greeting suggests. Thanks to the gift of the Eucharist and, unlike the Centurion quoted, we welcome that same Lord within those bodies, not merely "under our roof." Please think again and respect the concerted voice of the church - our voice in our church.
Andrea & Michael Hosker| Lay Minister | Shrewsbury | England
 
I am the headteacher of a Catholic high school and I am signing this petition in my personal capacity but with the agreement of my Chair of Governors. I studied English and foreign languages at university and continue to have a strong interest in how language is used and how ideas are communicated. The changes to the words of our Mass introduce an awkward Latinate edge to the existing language which may hinder young people and many adults from fully participating in Eucharistic services. I thought the Second Vatican Council was clear about the importance of accessible language - this development seems very retrograde.
Anthony McNamara| Lay Person | Salford | England
 
I view with incredulity the new translations of the Roman Missal. This is clumsy and awkward language. It recalls my early, limping translations from Latin to English of Caesar's exploits in Britain in first year high school. My Latin teacher would have awarded this embarrassing offering of the Mass translation a C minus. Back to the drawing board please!
Berenice Murrie| Lay Person | Wollongong | Australia
 
I cannot understand why we have to be faithful to the Latin language. It WAS the language of the church hundreds of years ago but now WE, the people of God, have our own sacred languages and expressions and not to be allowed to use them in public prayer is an auocratic slap in the face. It also diminshes ones spiritual growth. Using a 'dead' foreign language cannot be healthy for anyone!
Tracy Robinson| Lay Person | Hamilton | New Zealand
 
The bishops own this and the bishops are smart people but these translations will make us all look silly. Worse, it will discourage rather than inspire our communities.
Willliam J Cronin| Lay Person | Hartford | USA
 
We are creating a serious division in our church. We are wasting energy while it needed in many other ways. We are fiddling while the church is burning down. We are playing politics with the language issue where the real issues are very different, power, fear, childishness. I can only see this steps as provoking anger and serious loss to the church, a further demoralisation. It is another step of neglect of the laity and their voice. Our people deserve better. Lord have mercy on us for our infidelities!
Michael Screene M.S.C.| Priest | Missionaries of the Sacred Heart | Ireland
 
Vatican II opened up a whole new world to me. I felt that at last I was included in the church. In recent years it has deteriorated back to institutional clericalism. I have had over 30 years experience in liturgy and the recent dictums from Rome are depressing. They will only alienate and silence those assembled for worship. This creates the worst kind of apathy.
Anne F. Burke| Lay Person | Baltimore, Maryland | USA
 
Our church in Ireland is in crises. Please give us a chance to work through it. I would strongly recommend that the Bishops in the English speaking countries do not rush this new translation of the Roman Missal unto our people. It would have the result of driving many more away from the Church. I strongly recommend that it be introduced by means of a pilot project first.
Angela Temple| Lay Minister | Archdiocese of Dublin | Ireland
 
The voice of the people surely must be listened to. There is such a feeling of disquiet around that I feel we ought to let the parishes and Communities try using the new translation before a final decision is made. I don't want to be in anyway disloyal to our wonderful Bishop (Arthur Roche) who is 100% supportive of our Carmel, but I feel I have to add my name to this petition.
Pamela Burgess OCD| Religious | Leeds | UK
 
In my lifetime, ( I am a post-Vatican II catholic) I have experienced growth in spirituality and reverence for the Lord - which has come about because our praise and worship is accessible and tangible, not cloaked behind a screen of exclusive theology and verbiage. As a musical minister and cantor I am able to lead the people to higher understanding and elevation of spirit, because they know the content and meaning of the texts they pray and sing. I would hate to see all those faces that openly praise, smile, or weep buried in a book, trying to make sense of the "new", "confusing," "esoteric and antiquated" language. Shall we also return to thee, thou, thine, forsooth, etcetera? Perhaps we should also read texts in the original Greek, Arimithean, and Hebrew languages? Then we can go back to less participation in prayer, lay ministry, volunteerism. The people can return to "clicking their beads", and murmuring the prayers they find meaningful instead of participating fully in the mystery and worship of our Eucharistic feast. I favor neither "dumbing down" our beautiful rituals, nor taking them back from the many for the edification of a few theologians. The new translations I have read are cumbersome, defined by my 6-year old daughter, to mean heavy, hard to handle. I would like to believe those who decide for all of us are interested in the needs of their flock, and will listen to our fears and concerns regarding this issue.
Paula McClelland| Lay Minister | Milwaukee, WI | USA
 
Since our Theology of the Incarnation holds that God speaks to us in the ways we can understand, it makes sense to me that we can only respond to God in ways that we can understand.
Rev. William J Petro| Priest | Wheeling-Charleston | usa
 
It is time we had some spunk and told our bishops that the pastoral care of their flocks should be their prime concern and not to pander to the dictates of the conservatives in Rome. The church is bleeding as many disgruntled Catholics walk away even among my peer group of 65+.
Bailey, Ivor Ian| Lay Minister | Johannesburg | South Africa
 
Thank you for giving us a much needed forum to express our views. At a time when many are bruised and shocked by revelations within our Church today, it is vitally important that this new translation is given time for testing. My own reaction was one of dismay at the clumsy, incomprehensible and guilt ridden language and I fear if the voice of the laity is suppressed in this matter many will vote with their feet. Come Holy Spirit.
Denise Mason| Lay Minister | Leeds | UK
 
The liturgy of the mass is so familiar that I generally do not look at the missal except for the readings and the gospel. The new language seems strange. Jesus was a carpenter and spoke in parables so that quite ordinary people could understand his message - The Good News. Jesus showed us that clear, direct language does work.
Anonymous| Lay Person | Brentwood | United Kingdom
 
I sign this out of a sense of sadness and frustration with a Church which I love. I pray that Bishop Roche and the rest of ICEL reconsider the changes they propose and have a wider consultation with the full body of the Church. Let us not lose the Spirit of the Second Vatican Council which embraced an inclusive Church, and replace it with further clericalism. Let us not lose sight of the enthusiasm, and life force which was created by the new liturgy following the Council which at last gave a voice to the lay community, and inspired so many people like me to test their vocation in the Church. The Church should be relevant to today, it should be a Church of the people for the people. Let the Church take time and reflect before it takes a step too far and ultimately excludes many by these changes.
Paul Leahy| Lay Person | LEEDS | United Kingdom
 
As a retreat-giver and former Professor of Modern Languages, I am concerned that what looks like a good English translation to people in Rome may be infelicitous or even risible in English-speaking countries and cultures. The "prairy tortoise" comes to mind - and if the reader does not understand that reference, my point is made! OF COURSE something as important as the new translation of the Roman Missal should be piloted.
Stephanie Rybak (Dr)| Lay Minister | Portsmouth | UK
 
I am in my 50s and have always loved the Latin Mass. I regularly attend the current English liturgy, however (though I could go to a local Tridentine Mass if I wished). As a languages graduate and publisher, I can follow the arguments about the translation better than most. The currently-used English translation may not be wonderful, but to change things again a mere 40 years later, EVEN IF THE CHANGE WERE FOR THE BETTER, will cause divisions in the Church and make us a laughing-stock to the outside world. We have more pressing pastoral and spiritual concerns to attend to these days and should not squander our energy on in-fighting on this issue. If all we can do is play for time, then we should do that. People who like Latinate things should go to Latin Mass; the rest of us should be allowed to stick with what we've got rather than undergo another upheaval for a probably illusory gain.
Anonymous| Lay Person | East Anglia | UK
 
I have hesitated to sign, although I fully support the arguments, as I long for a united Church. However, enough is enough, and I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead us forwards instead of backwards.
Mrs Fran McEvoy| Lay Person | Brentwood | England
 
One of the best ideas to come down the pike....let's do it, People of God!!
Rev. Simeon Distefano, OFM| Priest | New York | USA
 
We have not yet been introduced to the pending introduction of the new translation of the Roman Missal. However, i strongly feel that, before we are introduced to the new translation, there is great need to do some awareness work. I wonder how our diocese will take this with its struggles in the catechetical and liturgical fields. May the waiting be done!!
CLIFFORD MULASIKWANDA| Priest | LIVINGSTONE | ZAMBIA
 
At the Last Supper, at table, did Christ speak the vernacular to his apostles? At the Last Supper, at table, did Christ turn his back to those at table with Him?
Susanne Hayes| Lay Person | Raleigh | USA
 
It is very sad that the Vatican seems quite impervious to any other way of working with its faithful than 'Top-Down' imposition. Here in England, if we were to remain true to the reforming spirit of Vatican II, any adjustments to the present texts used in the Liturgy should be carried out in prayerful cooperation with our Anglican brethren. It has to be accepted that the Church of England benefits from centuries-old cultural traditions in the language of its services. Roman Catholics in this country on the other hand have fewer than fifty years of the vernacular. Even during this short span several unsettling 'tinkerings' have occurred. The present proposals, and the manner in which they are being imposed, typifies the way in which a powerful and controlling Vatican is continuing to bring about its gradual decline. Our Saviour did not work in this way. But then as Trollope's Archdeacon Grantley, fuming about an ecclesiastical appointment, angrily burst out, "What's Jesus got to do with it!!"
Paul Johnson| Lay Person | East Anglia | England
 
I am an academic, and my research and teaching expertise includes linguistic change and translation. I also help lead the children's liturgy groups at Sunday Mass. As others have pointed out, a good translation does not mean a highly literal version. But what really disturbs me about this development is the likelihood that the new wordings will make the Mass less meaningful for children and teenagers. Despite the best efforts of their Mum and/or Dad, many young Catholics stop coming to Church - not just as teenagers or in their twenties, but when they're as young as 6 or 7. One of the reasons for this, I feel sure, is that the language of large parts of the Mass is already fairly impenetrable to them. The special Eucharistic Prayer for young people is an example of the sort of changes that should be considered. But the new proposals are unfortunately heading in quite the opposite direction. Please, for the sake of our young people's faith, think again. Do not place obstacles between them and Christ.
Anonymous| Lay Person | Plymouth | England
 
I have ministered for over 40 years as a pastoral musician in the Fort Wayne diocese. I long ago (age 14) fully embraced the challenge of Sacrosanctum Concilium. I have lived in both worlds of our church both pre and post Vatican II. Although, objectively, I certainly appreciate the Latin and much from those early days, I have no desire to go back. I wish to look forward with the kind of vision and spirit that was engendered by the genius of Vatican II. I am saddened to my core to see these changes come. I think they are a step backwards. In my heart of hearts I do not believe these changes reflect the desire and the will of most of the People of God. As one parishioner put it, "Why don't they just leave us alone and let us pray!" My prayer is that we stop the movement backwards! Jesus challenges us to keep moving forward as He did. Any intervention by the bishop's conference at this time would be a wonderful thing. Thank you for the opportunity to express some of my feelings about this.
Jim Didier| Lay Minister | Fort Wayne - South Bend | USA
 
This is a wise and practical proposal, to give time to test the changes, and seems in keeping with traditional Church cautionary practices. For those who thought that the new rite and English translations were rushed into practice following Vatican II, it seems appropriate to suggest that we do not repeat that experience and take some time introducing such major changes into current parish life, not to mention into missals, hymnals, and educational materials, among other areas. Ironically, what might naturally emerge with such proposed changes is yet another 'extraordinary form' for the Mass, in which those who prefer the now 'traditional' liturgy in English may continue to worship in those words and Vatican II-inspired ways, much as the accommodation recently made for those who prefer the full Latin Tridentine-style liturgy. From the more extreme-sounding changes, such as declaring that Christ died for 'many' rather than 'all', to the more frequent and likely ambiguous 'And With Your Spirit' as a response to 'The Lord Be With You', instead of the more balanced 'And Also With You' there is much to consider here. Anglicans have also expressed concern about the proposed changes, not least because of their ecumenical impact: http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=61848  .
Ronald Haynes| Lay Person | East Anglia | UK
 
I only joined the Roman church after the reforms of Vatican II and would never have joined it if they had not taken place. The current translation is in lively, modern English; it is a model of clarity. From what I can see, the new translation is a step back almost two centuries, to archaic English divorced from that of everyday life and from the man or woman in the street. For example, who talks today of "oblations" or "consubstantial" other than professional theologians?
Robin C d'A Hirsch| Lay Minister | Arundel & Brighton | United Kingdom
 
We are in a dreadful situation here in Ireland at the moment. If we dare impose this new translation on the people it will be the 'straw' that breaks the camel's back. I have been in South Africa for about three months during the year and I was shocked at the new translations. It seems that they are moving more and more into the divine and forgetting the humanity of Christ. So much about the translations and the way they are coming about shock me to the core of my being and I wonder where the hard earned growth of Vatican II is being heard.
Patsy Kelly M.S.C.| Priest | Missionaries of the Sacred Heart | Ireland
 
Festina lente.
Bob Boeri| Lay Person | Washington DC | USA
 
I appreciate that the liturgy must be reviewed from time to time to ensure that it accomplishes its very important functions. My concern is that what I have seen of the new wording is so stilted, such a literal translation from what I recall of the Latin mass that it has no beauty, it is cumbersome and verbose, it does not allow the Spirit to pray through the people of God. With all the important tasks the Church is failing to tackle at the moment, the idea that resources would be devoted to this project (with so little benefit) is not edifying.
Nuala McLoughlin| Lay Minister | Meath | Ireland
 
Someone seems to have forgotten that we now live in a world where consultation and collective decision are essential elements of real progress. This is not just a matter of words. We find that the proposed changes represent a profound cultural shift relative to the intentions and insights of Vatican II. Such a thing is impossible to impose in the hearts of the people. No amount of "explanation" or application of authority can change this. The damage to the Church, at personal, spiritual and possibly even structural levels could be immense. This is not necessary and so sad when we have so many real problems to address.
Martin Birdseye| Lay Minister | Westminster | UK
 
As a former Religious, Language & Re Teacher and Headmistress I was happy personally with Latin in both the Mass and the Divine Office. I loved Gregorian Chant and still do, but I realise from experience that this requires a choir with tradition and is not for any local parish. When Vatican II was in progress I felt the Church was being liberated and I took part in the liturgical developments. When we moved to English for Mass and Office in the Community the experience of knowing that for the 1st time everyone understood what they were singing or hearing was incredible. I have taught languages and know that good translation is not achieved by using the most literal words. I am now nearly eighty and find the direction the Church is taking in the translation of the Missal and the emphasis on the Tridentine Mass and Gregorian Chant that seem to be favoured by Rome at the current time very depressing. In all these matters I would have hoped our Bishops would have made an effort to safeguard the prayer life of English speaking people given in without consultation. It feels that what was given to the Church by the Bishops and scholars of the world under Pope John XXIIIrd and Paul VIth is being gradually dismantled by the Curia at the present time. I fully endorse the idea "whatifwejustdaidwait." Sorry if this is a bit long and rambling but I am grateful for the chance to share my thoughts with others.
Anonymous | Lay Person | Cardiff | UK
 
I am employed as a Lay Chaplain in a Catholic High School, where or how do our young people connect to this text? on a personal point I am horrified at some of the language being used this is so not the language of the church I have grown up in (i was born in 1965)
Anonymous | Lay Minister | Arundel and Brighton | UK
 
The translations are not into what most would regard as current English. There are many instances in which they are not 'speaker-friendly'. This can only be verified by their use for a trial period and review as proposed. The decision after that is best left to local hierarchies in national processes which is open to all the faithful.
Adrian Chatterton | Priest | Nottingham | United Kingdom
 
Perhaps this petition would not be necessary if our Bishops were more forceful in resisting Rome's penchant for interference and control.
Mike Cairns | Lay Person | Southwark | UK
 
In adding my voice to this petition I would like to express my sorrow in having to do so. When the new translation of the Liturgy was announced there was hope that we would have a translation to be proud of and one which expressed our faith as it is. Instead, in some cases the words and prose are obscure and the meaning hard to understand. Perhaps these misgivings reflect the constraints placed on the members of the Icel who one feels were not given the freedom to carry out their task in the way they would have wished.
Kathleen E Doyle | Lay Person | Plymouth | United Kingdom
 
I am retired, formerly head of the English Department in a large secondary comprehensive. I have had some experience of the problems in translating into literate and well-constructed English from Latin and (Ancient) Greek as well as from several modern languages. I am appalled at some of the sentences being presented to us as English to be read aloud and prayed. To take just one obvious example, "I am not worthy to receive you under my roof"" is English; "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof" is Latin masquerading as English. There are even worse examples that one could readily find. Then, there is the all-important question of rhythm; these words are to be said aloud by celebrant and the people of God and prayed. You do not need me to highlight the sheer clumsiness of much of the new renderings. Are they aware that written Latin is a synthetic language, modern English(both spoken and written) is an analytic language? This demands the breakup of the synthetic constructions of the Latin into the analytic style of sentences appropriate in modern English.
Michael Kelly | Lay Person | Liverpool | England
 
I am the author of Global Catholicism published by Hurst in 2009 and this is one of the many reasons I wrote the book.
Ian Linden | Lay Person | East Anglia | UK
 
I grew up with the Latin Mass and welcomed the new English translation while being aware of its shortcomings. The effort to render better the subtler meaning of some of the Latin is laudable but should not be at the expense of having a stilted and - to many - impenetrable English. A new English translation should create awe in its hearers with the beauty of its language and the marvellous mystery it describes. If we have to stop to explain in plain English what parts of it mean, we have failed. We can equally well expound on a beautiful English rendering to elaborate on the original Latin concepts, but if we hide the beauty in the first instance, who is going to want to listen?
Philip Cook | Lay Person | Southwark | UK
 
My soul resides in a parish that brings me love and comfort. I find my current services transcendent and fulfilling. I was born after Vatican II and the new ways are now my traditions. My parish is growing. Please do not try to fix what is not broken.
Angela Kaiser | Lay Person | Lansing Michigan | US
 
We find it very disheartening that so much of the spirit, energy and hope of Vatican II has been pushed aside for empty forms and a return to old, controlling ways. Here is an opportunity to allow the voice of the People of God to be heard again in a matter so vital as prayer and worship. Let us not lose it.
Patrick and Denise McCrohan | Lay Person | Kerry | Ireland
 
It really is hard to decide which emotion predominates,  anger or despair. If the bishops of the English speaking world want us to come to Mass and recite, in parts,  gibberish to each other,  have they not lost the plot? Are they not voluntarily declaring themselves to be redundant?  Speaking in tongues is all very well,  but speaking is only effective if the listeners can understand what is being said.  Sadly, the recent track record of the bishops of the English speaking world has been pretty awful,  especially in relation to child abuse. The oft repeated excuse by bishops that the risks of child abusers repeating their offences were simply not known or understood back in the eighties is pure nonsense,  as anyone who had any involvement in such cases at the time can verify.  A very different subject from the new translation maybe,  but another example of how removed from reality our bishops are in danger of being.  Surely it is time they looked after their flocks as opposed to dictating to them.
Stephen Forster | Lay Person | Northampton | England
 
I love Latin, but not as a language to pray in. I am a translator, and understand the pitfalls of literal translation, by someone who is not fluent in both languages. There must be a better way to improve our liturgical language than this new 'English' translation - an abomination! I am particularly outraged by the non-inclusive language, in this day. Why not trial it, as suggested, with the aim of improving it for our use? Let the Holy Spirit work through us, priests and laity together. Trust the process!
patricia kane | Lay Person | wellington | new zealand
 
Having done pastoral priestly ministry in the Philippines, Myanmar where the people are quite familiar with English, but not as their first language. What is appearing in the new translation of the missal will not be at all helpful for them, for their worship, for their prayer or for their spiritual life. And by the way, Jesus never spoke Latin! I hope the U.S. bishops and other English speaking bishops refuse to simply surrender to the proponents of this "new" translation. I hope and pray that they will exercise manly leadership for the sake of God's Catholic people. PLEASE BE PASTORS!
Thomas H.O'Gorman, S.J. | Priest | Manila | Philippines
 
all we are asking is for one years test run before the new missal is implemented
Anonymous | Lay Person | westminster | england
 
I have translated great literature from Latin, French and German. I learned quickly that being too literal never works. Fidelity to the original thought, putting it beautifully with the right rhythm, poetry and economy of words is to what one should aspire. The new translations are absurd, and would surely be "disruptive of our prayer life." Fr. Ryan has surely been guided by the Holy Spirit in offering us this opportunity to express ourselves communally. I am grateful to him and for him. If enough of us do express ourselves, maybe these awful translations will go away.
Alfred Clark Nolan | Lay Minister | Chicago | United States
 
The blessings which have flowed from the Second Vatican Council - like a Second Pentecost, set the marked for a fuller collegial and consultative church. (As in Newman "consulting the faithful on matters of faith"). Likewise consultation as to IF there needs to be any change should come before any tinkering with the present version. I am strongly against changes without a full process of discernment of the whole church.
Marjorie Corbett | Lay Minister | Wrexham | Wales
 
Many years ago I learnt that ' prayer is the rising of mind, heart and in communal prayer, the voice in praise and petition to God.' Whether we pray in the silence of our hearts or vocally I surmise that each one verbalises in his or her mother tongue. Why should we be asked to address God in convoluted, unnatural English ? I would like to put that question to those who are presenting us with the new translation of the Mass. Please allow it to be tried out with varied community groups and ascertain if it helps participation in the liturgy and a deepening of relationship with God. Both the psalmists and those who spoke with Jesus in Galilee are presented to us using simple, unambiguous local language. Why should the 21st.century children of God be required to do otherwise ?
Margaret Langley | Religious | Southwark | UK
 
Having read the article in the Tablet this week which gave examples of the new text, I am greatly saddened. How did we get to the point that those in positions of great responsibility and influence are so far removed from the life of the people they are meant to be serving, encouraging, teaching, ministering to? How did this happen? It is a shameful day for English speaking Catholics. How can we defend such ignorance of the needs of the whole people of God? I pray that wisdom will prevail sooner rather than later.
Catherine Martindale | Lay Person | Argyll and the Isles | Scotland
 
I am a member of The Grail Society as a Grail Partner with my wife, Pat. Why step back when we have travelled so far forward? Our liturgy needs to be in a language we can understand so that it can lift us up!
Alan Norris | Lay Person | Birmingham | England
 
I do hope Rome will listen!
Fr. Hermann F. Schaluck ofm | Priest | Munich | Germany
 
I am very concerned about the formality of language in the proposed new translations of the Roman Missal which would seem to set a barrier between God's people and God. I am sure this is not what was intended and think the idea of a 1-year pilot across a representative range of parishes in the English-speaking world is an excellent way forward to test the validity or otherwise of these concerns.
Mary Heaney | Lay Person | Salford | England
 
This is just one more example of Rome thinking that IT/SHE/HE is the Church when all of us are; not having seen the new translations, just the odd example, I feel a bit reluctant to add my name but trust you and will sign as you are wonderful to even attempt such a thing with the kremlin, oops, vatican, breathing down your neck
Ann Margaret Thorp | Lay Minister | Portsmouth | UK
 
Why spoil the ship for a ha'porth o' tar?
Bruce Bridgewood | Priest | London | England
 
What a life-giving opportunity for the Church would be opened by a year's mutual consultation over the way our liturgies are to develop. The Spirit of Christ would indeed be with us.
Olive Powell | Lay Person | Salford | England
 
The proposed translation could only be introduced with profuse apologies! This is hardly ideal on the pastoral level. It is too literal, and does not correspond to acceptable English usage.
John Moakler | Religious | Menevia | Wales uk
 
I am a Mill Hill missionary, originating from the Netherlands, working in Kenya. I think the archaic language being proposed is even more disconcerting to non native English speakers here in Africa
Eppink | Priest | Kisumu | Kenya
 
OVERHEARING ADULTS TALK ABOUT THE CHANGE, MY YOUNG NEPHEW ASKED "IF WE NOW HAVE TO SAY"AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT" DOES IT MEAN GOD ISN'T WITH ALL OF PARTS OF WHO WE ARE?" USING A LANGUAGE THAT IS NOT NORMAL EVERYDAY LANGUAGE WITH UNDERSTANDABLE MEANING SEEMS TO BE ELITIST AND A DENIAL OF THE INCARNATION. NOT LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY OF CHURCH BUT MAKING A TOP DOWN DECISION IS ANOTHER TRAGIC WOUND OF ARROGANCE ON THE BODY OF CHRIST.
MAUREEN O'BRIEN | Lay Minister | BALTIMORE | USA
 
It is a serious mistake to attempt to match the English Mass to a verbatim translation of the original Latin - translation is about expressing the meaning - not the literal equivalent. Besides, liturgy should be living, not a replication of what might have seemed appropriate to an earlier age.
Lawrence West QC | Lay Person | Arundel and Brighton | UK
 
The proposed new translations appear clumsy, and some of the phraseology is pedantic in the extreme. This risks alienating today's youth who take a more dynamic and light approach to literature. At the same time, any new translations risk alienating those older people who have become used to the post-Vatican 2 liturgy. Introducing a new liturgy is a lose-lose strategy for the Church at the moment: there are more important things for her to be doing at this crucial point in her history.
Miles Reid | Lay Minister | Aberdeen and North-East Scotland | Scotland, UK
 
Ordained over 52 years, I am now retired. Experiencing the hope, the excitement, the openness that Vat. 11 promised and spending my life trying to implement it , the proposed translation of the Roman Missal totally dispirits me.
john coyle | Priest | hexham and newcastle | England
 
I am concerned that this move will disturb many ordinary Catho;lics, especially young people and women. As a member of the National Board of Catholic Women I have been part of discussions on this issue in response to a request from the Bishops' Conference of England & Wales. As a lecturer in English, I have taught and written on the effects of language use that people cannot identify with - either because it is excluding, or obscure - or both. I cannot agree that imposition is the answer and I feel it will lead to even more people leaving the Church.
verena wright | Lay Person | portsmouth | United Kingdom
 
I am concerned that many people will feel marginalised, particularly young people and those who attend English masses but for whom English is their second language. (There are a lot of them!) The new translation may be more correct, but it is too far removed from 'normal' English - and especially from non-standard English, for example as used in former colonies. In such places, for example among New Zealand's Maori Catholics, there is already a pressing need for ensuring our universal faith also reflects and draws on local culture. I fear that this new translation, itself less accessible, will only make the process of inculturation harder.
Jennifer Tait | Lay Person | Brentwood | UK
 
I think this re-writing of the liturgy is the silliest idea ever dreamed up by the church authorities. I rejoiced at the plain English of the 1973 translation, and feel strongly it would be a retrograde step to interfere in the way suggested. I am a retired English teacher of almost 40 years experience, holding a degree in Linguistics, and teaching qualifications in Latin as well as English Language. Please do your utmost to prevent this potential farce!!!
Michael Courtney | Lay Person | Plymouth, England | England
 
I have already read this article and was appalled. I am glad you are doing something about it. I doubt anyone will listen but it is good to act and not sit idly by.
Anonymous | Religious | Kildare | Ireland
 
As publishers of the Roman Missal, Sunday and Weekday Missals, Lectionaries and Breviaries in the English speaking world outside USA,/Canada, and closely involved also with the adoption of the Prayers We Have In Common with other Christian denominations, we greatly regret the proposed wholesale abandonment of the translations that have been in use since the late sixties. These have formed the vernacular prayer life of four decades of Catholic laypeople as well as religious, are embedded in our spirituality, and have stood the test of time. The return to the florid, unreal language of the proposed translation is a retrograde step. We beg our bishops to think again.
Geoffrey and Sue Chapman | Lay Person | Southwark | England
 
1. It is so, so important to the so-called "Laity" (People of God) that we are comfortable with and uplifted by the language of our prayer at Mass. 2. And so, so important that the People of God are not disempowered by being effectively excluded from the decisions that so vitally affect their faith-lives. This is especially important at a time when many experience a retreat from genuine lay consultation and a return to centralism by those who hold power in the Church. Mere administrative power should be subordinate to the God given reality of the power of the Royal Priesthood of the laity so emphasised by Vatican II. Prophetic, Priestly and Kingly are the terms I seem to recall which the Bishops chose to use to describe the laity.
Tony Stayne | Lay Person | Arundel and Brighton | UK
 
It seems that they wish to return to the interim translation which was introduced immediately following the Second Vatican Council, before the current translation was put on place. This interim translation was deemed arcane and inappropriate then. Why should it work now?
John Danford | Priest | Northampton | England
 
I think the idea in the petition is concordant with what our Holy Father Benedict XVI has been saying about the organic development of the liturgy. Don't just impose this translation from the top, let the people have a say.
Lori Pieper | Lay Person | New York | United States
 
I have worked for over a year setting the new translation to music. It has been a monumental task given that the new text is sadly unpoetic and very clumsy. In addition, ICEL and the USCCB will not allow composers even minor adaptations (e.g. adding an "O" before "Lord" or inserting "the" into "and on earth") to help the wedding of text and music. It's a sad time to realize that our Shepherds have opted for a slavish adherence to literal translation, as if there's some inherent sacredness in the original Latin text, over the sacredness of inspiring people to pray with a text that lifts their minds and hearts to God.
OCP Composer | Lay Person | San Francisco | United States of America
 
I've seen how a few small changes in past years have caused unrest and division our parish community. I fear that these changes, especially the way they are being presented, would chase away many wonderful Catholics who believe that the church is moving in the wrong direction. We can't afford to lose any more of these faith-filled people. We just experienced a campaign to attract Catholics back "home" to the church...good move. Now let's show them that the church appreciates their participation and the gifts they have to offer.
Elizabeth Farnsworth | Lay Minister | Stockton | USA
 
Due to the current investigation of US apostolic religious communities, I think it unwise to print my name at this time, lest it call attention to my religious community.
Anonymous | Religious | St. Louis, MO | USA
 
I wholeheartedly endorse the aims of this petition. I concur with the argument of Michael G Ryan that we are facing a deliberate undermining of the teaching of Vatican II which has gained momentum in the present papacy. Indeed the movement to return the Church to pre-conciliar days and the 'fortress' mentality, the exclusivity and rampant clericalism, has been given a fillip by Vatican interests, in the tone towards and management of SSPX and the offer of 'sanctuary' to disaffected Anglicans. One does not expect democracy, but one demands collegiality and respect for the dignity of the Body Of Christ. How can we ever hope to be a kind of sacrament of Christ when the very life of the Church is suffocated by Vatican maneuvering which amounts to dictatorship? Are our Bishops truly our leaders or merely the vicars of the Vatican?
Stephen Gee | Deacon | Birmingham | UK
 
Give me, little, unimportant laywoman, more hope for our Church.
Leonora Froehlich | Lay Person | Munich-Freising | Germany
 
I am not by any means an uncritical supporter of the current ICEL translation. But what I have seen seen of the new translation makes me very uncomfortable. As a primary school altar server in the 1960s, I recall using Latin and also remember the then (pre-reform) English translations of the Missal, used solely as a guide or explanation. I remember then thinking how quaint and cumbersome many of them were yet we here are 50 years later seemingly turning the clock back. Why not simply go further and return to the Latin Mass - or perhaps that is the secret agenda?
Michael Reilly | Lay Person | Arundel & Brighton | UK
 
I am ashamed to say that I have not been keeping up with reading and therefore knew little about this subject. However I have been aware of people feeling uncomfortable about the apparent desire to turn the clock back to before Vatican 11. I became a Catholic around the time of Vatican 11 and loved the beauty of the Church then and in the ensuing years. More recently, I have asked myself why I am a Catholic, and remain a Catholic simply because there is nowhere else I want to go. I love the Lord Jesus and thank God every day for blessings received. There is much I love in the Church, but I have feeling of anger and despair more than I have ever done before in my life.
Mrs Jennifer Donnelly | Lay Person | Clifton | Great Britain
 
I wholly endorse the purpose of this program, wait, wait and more wait.
Edward Redmond | Lay Person | Aberdeen & the Northern Isles | Scotland
 
Please, please let us not go backwards. I never want to pray for my sole to be heeled again!
Ingrid Pasteur | Lay Person | Nottingham | Derbyshire
 
Please wait now is not the time for our country. Thank you
susan | Religious | Dublin | ireland
 
The Church may not be a deomocracy but it is the font of democratic freedoms. Taking note of concerns and considering compromise is a strength not a weakness.
Paul Keegan | Lay Person | Brentwood | UK
 
Prayer is the greatest petition!
Marty Amateis | Lay Person | st. george | america
 
In the History of the English speaking people by St Bede the Venerable, there is a correspondence between Augustine (of Canterbury) and Pope Saint Gregory on the Liturgies. Augustine had come across different ways of using the Liturgy in the different countries he had travelled in and asked Gregory which Liturgies should he use for the Angles (English). Pope St Gregory's reply was that he should put the things into practice that he found best for those particular people. I believe that this too should be the approach regarding the new Missal. There should not be a forced imposition.
Anne Donockley | Religious | Lancaster | England
 
As a woman who still struggles to find her rightful place in a male-dominated church, which claims to minister to all people, I cannot even imagine the harm that will be done by not taking into account the prayerful thinking of both English-speaking clergy and laity. I have prayerful hopes that the work of the Second Vatican Council, and the work of Pope John XXIII and those who prayed and worked along side him, bringing light and blessing to so many of us, will not be undone. I remain faithful to God in this difficult time, and pray daily for peace, hope, and justice, for all of God's people. Tess Shearer
Tess Shearer | Lay Person | Seattle | USA
 
I was taught that a translation was either faithful or beautiful but not both. This translation appears to be neither. If we are to encourage the young back to the church we should not discourage them with such out dated wording/phrasing. How are we to attract people to church if we continue to use such an restricted code which uses words and phrases that have no easily understood meaning to 95% of the general public. we should be moving on from Vatican 2 not trying to reverse it! As a former primary school teacher I despair on the way the church is moving under the current pontiff in its outlook on the world in general and young people in particular.
Gerald Blaikie | Lay Minister | Lancaster | England
 
Why oh why do we have to go backward instead of forwards. We are a living church not a fossil.
Anonymous | Lay Minister | Lancaster | england
 
Was it not the Holy Spirit that guided the Church in Council to declare that our rites should "normally not require much explanation"? (SC #36) How does that fit with having to tell the faithful that though we will say "many" at the heart of each Eucharistic Prayer on this occasion "many" means "all"? It seems clear that, even with the best of good will, the new translation will result in many of the texts not being used and our liturgy will be all the poorer for that.
Peter D McGuire | Priest | Hallam | England
 
I have just felt so helpless in the face of what seemed like an unstoppable juggernaut of questionable change and this is one small window of opportunity to seek a pause and a review and a trial. As I read some of the proposed 'new' texts all I can think of is the English translation beside the latin text I gre up with as a child. Why do we do this to our people and without consultation? Thank you for trying this
Jane Bertelsen | Religious | Arundel and Brighton | England
 
I think we should wait until someone can explain lucidly what "And with your spirit" means and also say who are "the many" for whom Christ offered His life and who are those not numbered among "the many". That would be a good start. Please, no one try and convince me that "the many" means the same as "all" - it does not. In England and Wales there was absolutely no consultation among the priests and people concerning the introduction of these new translations, there has been no hint of discussion or consultation since they were nodded through by the Bishop's Conference. Those of us who have carefully and prayerfully tried to celebrate the liturgy since the reforms of Vatican II, and who have tried to give our people a liturgical catechesis worthy of their intelligence find our efforts are being totally undermined. What is really needed is for priests and people to tell those who have introduced and agreed to implement these changes that they will not accept or use them until there has been proper consultation among us. If enough priests and people told their bishops that they would not be using the new translations they might just find some backbone and tell the translators, Vox Clara the CDW and all the other commissions and committees that have cobbled this together to go away and start again, beginning with consultation among the rest of us. The result might be something that the priests and people who use it day by day find acceptable and, more importantly, helpful to their prayer life.
Fr Paul jennings | Priest | Arundel and Brighton | England
 
I object in principle to the Vatican arrogating a function which should have been left to the English-speaking bishops. Such results as I have seen are deplorable. I believe that a trial period using a sample of parishes etc will show very rapidly the shortcomings of the new translation.
Quentin de la Bedoyere | Lay Person | Southwark | UK
 
Deeply concerned about the lack of consultation, but even more about the potential creation of confusion and disharmony amongst our congregations - and most of all about the inelegant, unidiomatic and convoluted English resulting from a translation process that mechanically substitutes an English word for a Latin one without attempt to communicate the essential meaning. And incidentally, how can one say 'these gifts, these offerings, THESE HOLY AND UNBLEMISHED SACRIFICES' about what is still bread and wine (beginning of Eucharistic Prayer 1)?
Fr Chris McCurry | Priest | Shrewsbury | England
 
I am 82, have been a keen liturgist all my life as well as an organist and choirmaster, so I have seen a variety of liturgies in that time. The proposed 'English' language liturgy appalls me. Perhaps I won't survive to have to experience it!
Peter Dwerryhouse | Lay Minister | Shrewsbury | U K
 
If they were deliberately setting out to damage the Church, the translators could not be doing it more effectively.
Maureen Jewess | Lay Minister | East Anglia | UK
 
I would agree that many things which came out of the Second Vatican council are slowly and quietly being dismantled. I have never felt so strongly that the Church which I have grown up in and love, is not a voice of the people of God but an unaccountable struggle with power and clericalisation which must end before everything implodes. Too many issues at stake to list but ordinary Catholics like me want to alert the Hierarchy to rethink the way they relate to the people. Jesus did not set up such an institution, would he recognise what Peters descendants have made the Church today? The Liturgy is central to everything and the proposed language used is uncomfortable and does not relate to the way we communicate in 2010. MEMBERS OF ICEL, INCLUDING OUR OWN BISHOP ARTHUR ROCHE. WAIT, LISTEN TO YOUR PEOPLE BEFORE YOU DESTROY THE CHURCH, BE STRONG AND HEAR WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING TO YOU. DO NOT LET THIS BE ANOTHER MISTAKE.
Tony Pickles | Lay Person | LEEDS | UK
 
I think the imposition of this translation is particularly distressing. I have closed my mind to much of the betrayal of Vatican II in other areas of church life, but being forced to mouth this quaint, latinate 'Ecclesiastical English', so reminiscent of the translation in my 1950's missal, is almost too much to bear. The spirit of Vatican II was of a comforting, healing, liberating church; the spirit of this action is obedience, discipline, uniformity and above all intitutionalised NOSTALGIA .
John McLaughlin | Lay Person | shrewsbury | England
 
Thank you for setting up this petition. Signing it makes me feel less helpless
Elizabeth Rikh | Lay Person | Southwark | United Kingdom
 
If it helps to know a little more about me: Former Superior General (12 Years) of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Former President of the Union of Superiors General (USG, Rome)
Fr Anthony McSweeney | Religious | Melbourne | Australia
 
Not only WAIT but bury it as well. We are going backwards.
Peter Ball | Lay Person | Southwark. | UK
 
"The common word exact without vulgarity, The formal word precise but not pedantic, The complete consort dancing together" (T.S.Eliot: "Four Quartets") - "where every word is at home" - that is what liturgical language should be, not the false and stilted style of the proposed translation.
Oonagh Walker | Lay Person | Hexham and Newcastle | England
 
Oh dear! Having seen the samples of the new text in 'The Tablet' I am having one of those 'What's it all about Alfie' feelings! It pains me to think the authors of the new text must have worked so hard and with the best of intentions, but the result is the real possibility that some, maybe many, Catholics will feel alienated by a) the words of the text and b) their lack of involvement in its formulation. Of course, mature Christians will not let a matter of this nature deflect them from their focus on the essence of Christianity and the work we are called to do. Nevertheless, it is difficult to avoid the feeling that, on the face of it, this does seem to be more a spoke in the wheels than a morale-booster!
John Allinson | Lay Person | Portsmouth | UK
 
I like the new translations, particularly of the prayers for each day. "consubstantial with the Father" is indeed what the Council of Nicea said. But our first change was indeed too rapid and a trial period would be much wiser now.
John Ronayne | Lay Person | Clifton | England
 
It is desperately saddening and insulting to experience yet again the arrogant disregard the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church has for the laity. We are not expected to be educated nor have any experience of gifts worth valuing. All we are good for is to provide money which once given we have no further say over. In the UK, the Christian faith is being deliberately and systematically undermined by an aggressive secularist agenda. We are crying out for leadership, but constantly find an introspective attitude resigned to a Church in decline. There is no vision. A Church so irrelevant and out of touch with the reality of the day can only continue to diminish. O, for a prophet for our times! When they face their judgement will our masters say "Lord, I did not see you naked, hungry or thirsty, sick or in prison, because I spent my life ensconced in a tower of Roman ivory re-translating Latin texts". Not much of a defence is it?
John Stradling | Lay Person | Southwark | UK
 
I have grown up with the liturgy of Vatican II. I chose not to study Latin at school. I am concerned that a slavish exact translation of Latin will not be understood in modern languages. Many of the clumsy forms of words in the new Translation do not inspire me to be prayerful - the language does not convey anything to me e.g. "we pray upon the oblation of your Church. " These words will alienate young people. Vatican II has not yet been tried-remember the words of John Paul II - "The best preparation for the new millennium, therefore, can only be expressed in a renewed commitment to apply, as faithfully as possible, the teachings of Vatican II to the life of every individual and of the whole Church." (Tertio Millennio Adveniente). In 1969 the document on the liturgy Comme le prevoit said " It is not sufficient that the liturgical translation merely reproduce the expressions and ideas of the original text. Rather it must fully communicate to a given people, and in their own language, that which the church by means of this given text originally intended to communicate to another people in another time." Perhaps the hierarchy should listen to Vatican II.
mary g o connor | Lay Person | Down and Connor | N Ireland
 
This is too important to be rushed. Patience is a virtue!!!
Mary Rose | Lay Person | Birmingham | United Kingdom
 
I am a freelance translator, with 30 years' experience. I also have a theology degree, write and teach in the field of religious studies and have some knowledge of Latin. I find the attitude to the translation of these texts disturbing, from a professional point of view, quite apart from how I feel as a member of the Church, having my familiar liturgy changed without my consent. I would like to be heard on this matter, and particularly I would like to see a revision of the English text to improve their readability and their lyricism.
Joanna Christian Waller | Lay Person | Southwark | United Kingdom
 
Not only has the pedantic implementation of Liturgiam Authenticam apparently been disastrous, but also the implementation of Summorum Pontificem. Shortly there will be a serious three-way tussle between the Missals of John Paul II (2000), Paul VI (1970) and John XXIII (1962) causing only confusion and dissension in the Church, at a time when confidence and cohesion is most needed.
Dr Paul Walker | Lay Person | Hallam | England UK
 
I have tried some of the proposed translations by pretending I was presiding at Eucharist. I found the arrangement of and the use of some of the words, nonsensical and believe that for a basically vision-centred congregation, the texts would be like reading a foreign language. This would be the case for English as a first language people. I have no idea how the many Catholic for whom English is not the fist language would cope.
Denis Scanlan | Priest | Brisbane | Australia
 
If this new translation is forced upon us as is, it will further alienate priests from the hierarchy of the Church, negatively affect their morale, and cause the faithful to lose even more confidence in the desire and/or ability of the bishops to be effective spiritual leaders.
Rev. Steve Rukavina | Priest | Boise | USA
 
Perhaps we'll be better understood if we try saying "wait" in Latin.
David A. Elliott | Lay Minister | Sacramento | USA

I agree with everything Fr. Michael Ryan has written in the article published in 'The Tablet' 16 January 2010. I do agree that the original translation into English was not perfect from the point of view of the language and poetry but the spirit is there. The examples of English quoted from the proposed/new version and compared with the current form in 'The Tablet' verge on the incomprehensible and even ridiculous. Of course, it does go beautifully with lace, yards of silk and ermine adopted by many of the current Roman curia. Simple thoughts from honest hearts do not need to have their words decked with overly-complicated poetic language where the emphasis enhances the words and obliterates the spirit. Why do I keep thinking of Malvolio? The Pharisees and their devotion to tradition and The Law?
Sarah Theresa Marie BELL | Lay Minister | Portsmouth | United Kingdom
 
When I look at my church today I wonder where Jesus would fit in. He wore no special clothes, he had no writings that contained rubrics and he risked leaving his teachings in the hands of just very ordinary people. He didn't say adore me, he said follow me. And he did not say it in Latin, he spoke the language of his people. I feel we have lost sight of the message with all this hoopla. At 76 I've come to the conclusion that I am saddened by our seeming loss to follow our "gentle leader" as he intended.
Constance Wilder-Wokoun | Lay Person | Trenton NJ | USA
 
I was ordained in Rome in 1963, during Vatican II, and I spent my first years in the priesthood studying for a degree in liturgy at the Centre Nationale de Pastorale Liturgique in Paris, after which I taught liturgy for nine years in the diocesan seminary at Upholland. Since then I have worked in four parishes for thirty-three years. As my priestly life draws to a close I am grieved at what seems to be happening.
Brian Newns | Priest | Liverpool | UK
 
I obtained a Masters degree in Liturgy at Lampeter in 2007. During my dissertation I read with dismay Liturgiam Authenticam and its potential effect on the proposed new English translation of the Missal. The original draft in 2004 was a disaster and the non publication of any further drafts indicate that the opinion of the majority of worshippers who are non ordained are not considered important. I suspect that priests also fall into this category. Thank God for a voice at last.
Anthony Martin | Lay Minister | Shrewsbury | United Kingdom
 
This expresses what I have been feeling, with enormous sadness, for several years. Much as I respect Pope Benedict as a person and as a theologian, his (surely unintentional) encouragement of anti-Conciliar movements in the Church is damaging the Church's unity and its missionary vocation. The new translation of the Missal seems in so many ways to be a symptom of this trend. As Bishop Roche, Chairman of ICEL, is my own bishop, I am reluctant to add my name, but I feel it would be dishonest not to do so.
William Steele | Priest | Leeds | U.K.
 
I view the new translations with horror! I believe with Fr Ryan that it unravels Vatican Two's wonderful liturgical reforms. As a youth worker I am appalled that young people, who already believe we speak gobbledygook in our liturgies, will be further alienated. if someone wanted to dream up a new way to drive our young people away, this would be it. What are modern young people to make of 'with your spirit' ? Good Pope John XXIII must be spinning in his grave! What do we do if it repels us? Go to the Anglicans or just stop going?
Tony Castle | Lay Minister | Brentwood | England UK
 
Catholics who wish to celebrate the Eucharist in Latin can do so. We can nowadays even have the Tridentine format, if we so prefer. Therefore we do not need the new Latinized translation. The needs it set out to address have already been satisfied.
Chris Harris | Lay Person | Birmingham | England
 
I am the Professor of Historical Theology in the Dept of Theology and Religious Studies in the University of Nottingham and editor of Studia Traditionis Theologiae whose specialization is in theology written in Late Latin; I am very concerned about the level of understanding of the nature of the process of translation, and lack of awareness of how Latin as a language was evolving in Christian usage, that is displayed in the proposed vernacular translations as I find them on the US Bishops' Conference website/
Thomas O'Loughlin | Priest | Arundel and Brighton | UK
 
What are they thinking? The original Christians worshiped in their own language, not a translation.
Margaret Holmes | Lay Person | Providence | USA
 
I am encouraged to find that I am not alone in my near despair at what is happening and that there is sensible and reasonable proposal being put before our bishops.
Cyril Elkington | Priest | Southwark | England
 
I disapprove of the new translation's clumsy long sentences with too many subordinate clauses. I have 2 degrees in Latin - I regard many of the new wordings as too slavishly Latinate, poorly translated. I am particularly worried about the ecumenical consequences since we have shared wording so closely with Anglican friends since 1973 and now propose to go it alone. Why only a single year moratorium ? 5-10 years of actual consultation would be reasonable. MANY THANKS to Fr Ryan for giving us the opportunity to let the consensus of the faithful (usually ignored) now to be heard.
Jean RIORDAN | Lay Minister | Birmingham | UK
 
I really do NOT feel that the upcoming changes in the (now beautiful) liturgy are in the spirit of Vatican II. I have a deep and very dark feeling that there is a move afoot to return our beloved Church to pre-Vatican II ways. We have suffered so much falling away out from our Church as it is, and from the things I have heard from Catholics from all over this diocese, these changes will cause more people to leave. Please consider the alternative plan suggested
Felicity Furber | Lay Person | Minneapolis/St. Paul | USA
 
They opened the window to let in some fresh air back in 1963, and now some cranky grandfather is getting a chill. Somebody get that guy a sweater so the breath of God, coming through that window, doesn't get him sick... but for God's sake, keep the window open. 
Jim White | Lay Person | Chicago | USA
 
I am saddened that the Vatican is being both authoritarian and old-fashioned in moving forward in this way with new translations of the liturgy - an approach that is indeed completely at odds with the spirit of Vatican II and the active involvement of the whole People of God in the work of the Church. I support this initiative wholeheartedly and pray that it may have some effect.
Advocate General Eleanor Sharpston QC | Lay Minister | Luxembourg | Luxembourg
 
I am very concerned at the changes in the peoples' responses. English is not a romance language. We need to be freed from the constraints of slavery to the Latin text. Poets are needed more than Canon Lawyers
Patrick Kilgarriff | Priest | Birmingham | England
 
I have been a liturgical publisher for over fifty years and I am the editor of fifty hymn books. I can see little merit in the new texts which strike me as wooden, syntactically suspect and difficult to proclaim. I am also concerned that they will damage ecumenical co-operation. Let's have new texts by all means but the People of God deserve better than this.
Kevin Mayhew | Lay Person | East Anglia | England
 
1983 Code of Canon Law: Canon 212 : "In accord with the knowledge, competence and pre-eminence which they possess, the Christian faithful have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church."
Mark Dowd | Lay Person | Westminster | UK
 
Eminently sensible to test before making this irreversible.
Dr Kate Williamson | Lay Person | Arundle and Brighton | UK
 
There is much good will, courage and love in this effort. It is time for the sensus fidelium to make its impact again, as in the past. The Holy Spirit will guide us all.
Daniel O'Leary | Priest | Leeds | UK
 
As a linguist and a musician, I am very concerned that the desire for a more literal translation of these texts could be detrimental to the spirit of them, thus risking the loss of communication from the Holy Spirit who speaks to the hearts of people in ways that mere literal words cannot do. I therefore wholeheartedly support the proposal that this new text be tried and tested by at least some of the people of God whose life of prayer depends on them.
Sister Clare Balfour RSCJ | Religious | Menevia | United Kingdom
 
As a theologian and biblical scholar, I am extremely disturbed by the proposed changes. Despite the claim that we are returning to a more original form, what is actually happening is the proposal of a return to a more pre-Vatican II / Tridentine-like form. If those who make these claims were genuinely interested in returning to a more original Christian form, they would go back much further in church history and arrive at a form resembling that which Vatican II brought about through their efforts.
Anonymous | Lay Person | Chicago | USA
 
I am extremely unhappy with the changes, some of which have already been implemented for over a year now in the archdiocese of Johannesburg where I live. The language is stilted and in some case ungrammatical. A good example is the Nicene Creed. Some of it simply does not make theological sense. Are we not an incarnational spirituality? Why are we trying to separate spirit from the the rest of the person? As a spiritual director I hear how many Catholics are struggling with these changes. The proposed changes to the Eucharistic prayers, which we have not yet experienced, are in my view, also very unhelpful. The beauty of the language of the 4th Eucharistic prayer for example is lost in the new translation.
Dr Annemarie Paulin-Campbell | Lay Minister | Johannesburg | South Africa
 
I agree fully with the article in America magazine, it was like a breath of fresh air for its sheer common sense. It seems to me that there are far more important and serious things to occupy the attention of the Church than this obsession with fidelity to Latin
Clare Wilson | Religious | Paris | France
 
I am not only seriously concerned about the new 'English' language translation but of the whole movement backwards to pre Vatican II Latin in the Liturgy. Over the past year Westminster Cathedral, with its piped Latin music, has become a place where I personally no longer feel 'at home'! There does seem to be a tendency, coming out of Rome, towards fundamentalist attitudes. These seem to be welcomed by elitist and traditional clerics in our local parishes and it is disturbing. Where is the moral leadership support we deserve from our Bishops. It would be so refreshing to find at least one Bishop who would risk losing his mitre in the fight for integrity.
Jackie Gleeson | Religious | Northampton | England
 
I find the new translations incomprehensible...... difficult to understand and thus also difficult to inculcate.
Landi Dreyer | Lay Person | Holy Trinity Braamfontein Gaugteng | South Africa
 
Asking each of my grandchildren ranging for 12 to 23, (several of them gifted and 1 a college grad.) what they thought of the new translation most of them actually laughed. The youngest was just baffled. None of them could accurately explain the meaning. The Vatican could just as easily require the use of Latin instead of English and get the same result.
Ardelle and John Allen | Lay Person | Oregon | USA
 
I submit this for your consideration and out of respect not rancour.
Elizabeth Hepburn IBVM | Religious | Melbourne | Australia
 
After the period of adjustment that followed Vatican II, including years of catechesis, English-speaking Catholics have made the present liturgy their own, accepting the liturgical texts as their personal prayer. It seems to me that more changes now are likely to cause disturbance and genuine distress to many, and be an obstacle to spiritual growth.
Patricia Harriss | Religious | Westminster | England
 
I support your "Just say wait" movement. However, if the bishops forge ahead to demand implementation of this grossly flawed translation, I will "just say NO!" I cannot, in conscience, demean the Sacred Liturgy with poor English and improper grammar.
James E. Falsey | Priest | Saginaw | USA
 
Sheep is a metaphor. We are NOT really sheep.
Thomas Nash | Lay Person | Indianapolis | United States
 
The function of the liturgy is to enable us to pray well. People can't do that in language they don't understand or that speaks of a world they do not know. In which case using translations that torture present understandings and concepts can only harm the church itself in the long run.
joan chittister, osb | Religious | Erie, Pa., USA | USA
 
Jesus sat on the ground and with the people gathered around them, spoke in simple words and parables that they could understand. Please, please keep the language simple, clear and accessible to one and all. The Good News is just too important to have poor language become a barrier to anyone understanding and celebrating it.
Des Robertson | Lay Minister | Archdiocese of Cardiff | UK
 
The new translation demands to be seen in the true light of the obvious ambition of its most enthusiastic and vocal proponents - a piecemeal return to the structure and spirit of the Tridentine liturgy. Those to whom it is acceptable belong to the same reactionary fringe as do those who perpetrated it, approved it, set it into motion.
Joseph Marcel Bedard | Lay Person | Detroit | USA
 
Fr Ryan's article is much more tactful than I would be. I was given a solid briefing on this last year at a workshop by a leading liturgical theologian who did his best to be even-handed in his presentation. The new translation is a liturgical insult to Catholics. And my anger is up because this looks to me like not just a liturgical move, but an ecclesial shift away from Vatican II, back to the centralized mysterious bureaucracy. In deference to Fr Ryan's tact: YES let's wait, and have our bishops build some spine in sticking up for those of us U.S. Catholics sitting in the pews.
Dr Samuel Castiglione | Lay Minister | Baltimore | US
 
Thank you for standing and speaking truth to power. May your efforts be blessed by the Spirit and turn the tide.
Teresa Warnick | Lay Person | Wheeling/Charleston | USA
 
Born in 1940, raised in a Catholic home by well-churched parents, and educated in Catholic elementary, secondary, collegiate and graduate institutions, I retired from a 40-year private law practice and was ordained a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Evansville in Indiana in 2005. Through all those years, I have worshiped in the pre-Vatican II, the Vatican II and the post-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church. On an issue of such importance as a new translation of the liturgy in the Roman Missal, what's wrong with Fr. Ryan's proposal of "market research"? I support a "wait and see" approach prior to finalization of the new text. Deacon Jim Flynn Diocese of Evansville in Indiana
James F. Flynn | Deacon | Evansville in Indiana | USA
 
I'm in total agreement on piloting these changes. Thirty-five years of teaching Language Arts, a lifetime of musical training and choirs, and presently, tutoring foreign college students in the English language have all strengthened my dismay at the way these changes are being put on us. We have so many serious problems in our 2010 Church that are not being addressed. For example, In my parish of over 20,000 we are concerned about the extreme workload of our 2 priests right now. Catechesis of our young people and poorly-educated adults is demanding our attention. Moreover, my parish has a high percentage of foreign-born members. They struggle right now to understand the prayers of the Eucharist. I had read in "Commonweal" a few of the fitting translations by the ICEL compiled by those skilled linguists in the early 1980s. How inspiring they were! Those writings happened before the entire committee was dismantled and a new group took over this task. I feel very strongly that the Holy Spirit is whispering, "Wait. Try it out first in a few parishes. Listen to serious objections. Ponder them in your heart. Pray over this."
Chris McWilliams | Lay Minister | Dallas | United States
 
Thank you for speaking out. You encourage me profoundly. You speak for me and I pray this voice swell will be at last heard.
ruth fitzsimmons | Lay Person | richmond va | usa
 
Enough marching boldly into the 1950s.
Peter Cornell | Deacon | Detroit | usa
 
was DELIGHTED to read this article, a ray of hope shinning in the fog. Why do we want to hide the beautiful liturgical prayers in the cave of Latin? Why do we want black vestments at funerals. What do we really believe about the resurrection? The young priests who want a return to Vatican I appear to regard the smells, bells, Latin, clerical garb, etc. as new and mysterious and somehow making Catholicism more appealing. Clericalism reigns supreme in our part of the woods. Is God no longer present in ALL His people? We heard a presentation of the new Sacramentary at Notre Dame last summer and the presenter really had no satisfactory answers to the "why" questions. He ended up begging off as "just being the messenger." What can we do to get things back on tract? It seems like the emphasis is being put on this language issue which keeps people busy so they don't have to face the real hard issues of justice in the world.
judi peterson | Lay Person | columbus, ohio | usa
 
The most important lesson I learned from my graduate studies at the Catholic University of America and at the Ohio State University is "Make your mistakes on a small scale!" It appears that Rome insists on violating that rule on a global scale by imposing a vocabulary on English speaking Catholics, thus disregarding the principle of subsidiarity which it professes to cherish in addressing secular authorities.
Marcel Sylvestre | Religious | Youngstown, OH | USA
 
I sincerely believe that this is the way to go because the new translation of the Roman Missal has caused great confusion in our parishes.
Anonymous | Lay Minister | Johannesburg | South Africa
 
Translations are hopelessly inadequate Much more discussion with lay people is vital We the people - the backbone of the church-- should not have something we do not want imposed on us Please consider the adverse reactions of so many and stop now and start a dialogue with the people
nuala mary human | Lay Person | cape town | south africa
 
It is hard to have full, conscious, and active participation when speaking one's language as though it is one's third language.
Elizabeth Rodriguiz | Lay Person | Lansing, Michigan | USA
 
This is a reasonable response to an unreasonable demand. Our bishops have many important issues to deal with. Tweaking the liturgy is not one of them.
Lemuel Skidmore | Lay Person | Fall River | USA
 
As a child, when I used to hear the words, "I am not worthy for You to come under my roof..." , I would always wonder... is this the "roof of my mouth"? To change words so they agree with ages past is what I have termed "Ecclesiastical Psychosis"... being OUT OF TOUCH with reality. It is not a matter of "going back", it is a matter of "keeping up". We are going to loose many people as a result, and the "Latiners" will be very happy. Either we pro-gress forward, or we go backward... I do not want to go back to a church that was, even then, out-of-touch with the people and times.
Vince Connor | Priest | San Bernardino, California | United States
 
The reasoning behind the new changes make no sense to me. It appears that it has to do with power and not prayer.
Mary Lou Miller | Lay Minister | Arlington | United States
 
Rome is systematically moving away from the reforms of Vatican II and this must stop. This action touches the very core of Catholic life, faith, and the continuity of our lifestyle. That is, it touches the liturgy upon which we commonly base our identity and thus the life-blood of our Catholic world. We are a liturgical people and we must be able to localize our expressions and our identity. The Missal changes are only a part of a larger issue of localized identity under a common container of doctrine. But the Missal issue is a move in reverse at a time when we desperately need to be moving forward.
Dennis Tomko | Lay Person | Phoenix, Arizona | USA
 
The process of the new translation has been a mystery to me. Transparency has been lacking, and I am not aware of any widespread consultation
Colin Carr | Religious | Hexham and Newcastle | U.K.
 
I am so glad that Msgr. Ryan has made his comments about the Latinized translations of the Roman Missal. I have attend liturgies at St. James Cathedral in Seattle and find them to be among the best in the United States and Europe. I support the stance taken by Fr. Ryan and hope the Vatican will reconsider their poor English translation of the missal which they hope to introduce into the American church without consideration from the clergy or laity. Thomas R. Phelps
Thomas R. Phelps | Lay Person | Sacramento | USA
 
Wait, wait, wait. Better yet, stop, stop, stop, stop.
Mary A. Coleman | Lay Person | Sioux City, Iowa | USA
 
The Catholic Church will never survive if it continues to go backwards!!! We are a Vatican II Church !! It's about time we act like it !!!!
Jean O'Connor | Lay Person | Chicago | U.S.A.
 
WHAT'S THE RUSH?
ANN CARMEL QUIGLEY-NICHOLSON | Lay Person | WESTMINSTER | U.K
 
Again, we forget the reality of what we are taking about, and the people of God are dismissed for expressions of faith that one can hardly understand. I can't imagine what God must think about this creation we have made called "church." Jesus didn't have any of this and He was the Son of God, true Eucharist! We need to put our heads back on the way they were intended to be!
Anonymous | Religious | New York City | USA
 
The principle of subsidiarity is being violated by Vatican congregations dictating how English Sacramentaries and Lectionaries should be translated. There seems to be a lack of faith on the part of the Vatican that the local authorities can be trusted to be faithful to the true meaning of the scriptures and a doubt that they can express themselves in their own language better than foreigners.
Msgr. Jeff Conway | Priest | Archdiocese of New York | USA
 
Is this a ploy to get us all to agree that Latin is better than this?
Kathleen Masterson | Religious | Brooklyn, NY | United States
 
At age 68, if it had not been for the reforms of Vatican II, I probably would not still be a practicing Catholic. I now find myself at odds with the pastor of our local church, the diocese, and Rome for the recent direction and decisions made. I read extensively, and consider myself a spiritual and a religious person who wants to grow in faith by Christ's example not the whims of patriarchy. Thank you for providing a glimmer of hope.
Reinette Jackovic | Lay Person | Pittsburgh | USA
 
I am a teacher of writing and a writer. Some of my friends call me "Sister Word." I have the greatest respect for the power of words. Words can clarify and inspire, but they can also confuse and cause division. I agree that caution is needed in the adoption of the new liturgical translations. Using a pilot program for a liturgical year and evaluating the results would be very wise.
Anonymous | Religious | Indianapolis | USA
 
Let us not go backwards. The church must move forward or it will be no more.
Patricia Gratton | Lay Minister | Albany | USA
 
As a former professor of English language and literature, I find the proposed translation to be a disaster from several perspectives. The language is demeaning to the People of God insofar as it is re-instates a rigid separation between God and the people. It is archaic, inflated, pompous, offensively hierarchical, and officious: in short, the language and thought are clerical in the worst sense of the word. The proposed translation sounds regressive and servile as though we were slaves terrified of being slaughtered. Yet precisely because we are God's beloved children, our liturgical address should surely express our healthy intimacy and complete acceptance in God's love rather than indicate a pervasive sense of anxious self-abasement and cringing desire to placate a wrathful, all-powerful God. The American Catholic Church deserves better than this. Accordingly, the American bishops would do well to reconsider this decision. After all, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, not dumb ciphers in the presence of our exalted betters. Surely, we can learn from one another and grow in the process. Perhaps in this instance our bishops might learn from the people they should lead. Listening attentively and carefully to the people they are supposed to serve might be a good change. Indeed, such humility would be a refreshing and welcome change. Be humbly learning from the People of God, the bishops might actually begin to bravely and boldly lead their people for a change. We do need brave, intelligent, imaginative bishops in the American church. It's hard to respect leaders when they seem consistently, not to say cravenly, prostrate before regressive forces bent on repudiating the teachings of Vatican II.
Dr. Dennis L. O'Connor | Lay Person | Arlington, VA | USA
 
PASTORAL DISASTER sums it up well.
Ken Czillinger | Lay Person | Cincinnati | USA
 
Almost everyone my husband and I know in our age group (50-60) have already left the church. We were both raised Catholic and educated in Catholic schools and universities. We in turn have raised our children in the church and educated them through Catholic Universities. Our children's generation have entirely left the church. When I do attend, there are only seniors in the pews. The church is hopelessly out of touch. This wash of conservativism has completely dismantled all educated, progressive thought.
Anonymous | Lay Person | Seattle | USA
 
I have been a Religious and a Latin teacher who still prays the Liturgy of the Hours in Latin. The present translation of the Novus Ordo is not only adequate, but quite elegant. Please do not change it, without a pilot program with the proposed new translation.
Michael Aparo | Lay Person | Hartford | USA

Earmarks of bad pastors: bad grammar, bad scholarship, bad hearing.
Charles Jordan | Lay Minister | Chicago | USA
 
Christ spoke plainly, and in this too He should be imitated.
Jesus Fernandez | Lay Person | Our Lady of the Lakes, Miami Lakes | United States
 
While there may be some good in the new translation, there is much that is troubling. As a Church we should move forward carefully. A review of the translation in a "live" setting would allow the words to be seen in the setting for which they were written, a praying community.
Matthew P. Clark | Lay Minister | Erie | USA
 
The original English translation had plenty of time for experimentation. This new one needs a rewrite!
Bryan Cones | Lay Person | Chicago | U.S.A.
 
Good Liturgy and good English go hand-in-hand.
Ellen Scorzoni | Lay Person | Boston | USA
 
The liturgy is where we as church have the opportunity to embrace all peoples and pull them onto The Way. Language is a subtle but powerful way of letting people know if they are truly being embraced -- women are very aware of this with the current translations.
Dottie Moon | Lay Person | Norwich, CT | USA
 
Though now retired from active pastoral ministry, I fully agree with the doubts expressed as to the value of the new translation. I believe the proposed year's trial in certain parishes would clearly show the value, or otherwise, of the new translations. I am speaking entirely on my own behalf, and do not in any way speak in the name of my Province or Congregation, though I believe many confreres would entirely agree with my position.
Anonymous | Priest | Portsmouth | UK
 
This "pilot project" feels trustworthy and Spirit led!
linda conroy | Lay Person | seattle | us
 
For what purpose is any of this being proposed? Will it increase ones' beauty or value in the sight of the Lord? I think not. I agree that imposing upon people how they must worship is a set-up for divisiveness and will drive them further away from the church. Make note, I did not say further away from our Lord, but from the church.
Anonymous | Lay Person | Seattle | USA
 
I support the effort to wait and look at this more closely; consider the effects it has had other places; listen to the people of God upon whom nothing should be "forced". Listen for guidance, please.
Helen Gennari | Lay Person | St. Louis | St. Louis
 
Let us continue to be concerned about the authentic prayer of the faithful, not imposed words. Ritual comes from our transparent longing of our hearts...not an intellectual affirmation of someone else's grammatical conclusion.
Sr. Donna Ryan RSM | Religious | Kansas City-St. Joseph | usa
 
"What would Jesus say?"
Anonymous | Lay Person | portland, Oregon | USA
 
I call upon the Bishops of the United States to act with prudence, wisdom, and common sense regarding the proposed revision of the Roman Missal. My experience as an English teacher, pastoral leader of a parish community, and faithful participant in the Eucharistic Liturgy for over 75 years, inspires me to respectfully request for a language in our common prayer which is simple enough to be understood by even the least educated among us and beautiful enough to lift our spirits. The proposed changes do not seem to do either. A good translation has to be faithful to the original thought, but also faithful to the cultural expression of the people and times. Mere transliteration does not suffice. I pray God's blessing and guidance in this most critical work of the people -- truly "liturgia".
Anne Chester | Religious | Sacramento | USA
 
I am totally in support of any effort to prevent the kinds of changes (ungrammatical, absurd, etc.). I think someone needs to stand up to the Vatican and the English translation issue was the perfect low risk situation for the USCCB to say, "NO!" Bravo to Bishop Trautman.
Paul F. Keaveney | Lay Person | Columbus, OH | USA
 
I have only recently returned to organized religion, finding a home in the Catholic parish in our city. The changes in language being contemplated do not resonate with me - please reconsider changing was is already working!!
Jane Shanklin | Lay Person | Seattle | USA
 
I pray that our bishops listen to the people they were sent to serve. I also pray that we priests serve the people by informing them about the process and invite them into the discussion for all our spiritual wellbeing.
thomas g. ogg | Priest | cheyenne | ;usa
 
The top down imposition of the liturgy will not be acceptable to adult thinking Catholics.
Jane Anderson | Lay Minister | Perth | Australia
 
Thanks for offering us the opportunity to give voice to our disappointment with the process and the product - this new translation of the liturgy. I've been a priest for 44 years - so sad to see this injustice, attempting to undermine the great good of Vat II. I concur in Fr Ryan's analysis of the situation. I will find it impossible to encourage parishioners when I experience no joy-in-faith at what has happened. We priests are on the front lines and have much pastoral wisdom. We need to be heard on this matter. Thank you.
Daniel F Holland | Priest | Rochester | USA
 
The proposed New Roman Missal is theologically faulted, is linguistically cumbersome and departs from the liturgical renewal demanded by the Second Vatican Council. It is rooted in a curial political agenda, and not in the Eucharistic Mystery that should unify the people in Christ, in a language that is inclusive and comprehensible.
Rev. Msgr. Kenneth E. Miller | Priest | Youngstown, Ohio | United States of America
 
Holy Spirit please lead us in our efforts to use reason, justice and fairness in addressing this issue.
Lorraine Jamison | Lay Minister | Ft. Worth, Texas | USA
 
I pray that the Bishops will listen to the People of God! We love the Church, too, and are deeply troubled that her voice is being muffled by the noise of those for whom control seems to be the only goal. This kind of control only distorts the words and teachings of the Jesus we follow.
Jeanne C Frolick | Religious | Portland, Oregon | USA
 
The most important thing at the liturgy is to really pray. The new translation would work against prayer because people would be distracted and upset by the changes.
Sister Eleanor MacLellan | Religious | Boston | United States
 
Consultation concerning such serious changes in our liturgy MUST include the laity, the religious and priests, not solely bishops. To do less is to trample on the "Rights of the Christian Faithful." See: Canon 212, 2 & 3; Canon 213; Canon 214; and Canon 218.
Rev. Peter J. Sullivan, III, JCL, JCM | Priest | Albany in America | USA
 
Our liturgy committee is concerned and discussing this. Thank you.
Mary Griffith | Lay Person | Santa Rosa CA | USA
 
I am deeply concerned about the translations which I have read; I find them clumsy, sometimes even incoherent, and decidedly non-grammatical. It seems to me this is clearly a case of fixing something that is not broken. As a member of the Cathedral's liturgy committee, there is no way I could try to encourage parish members to accept and embrace these new wordings. They will simply discourage me from attending daily Eucharist, since they will only be an occasion of anger for me.
Rita Haugh | Lay Person | Winona, MN | U.S.A.
 
WAIT! Do it in 3010.
Frank Frisina | Lay Person | Tucson | United States
 
I couldn't agree more. Maybe in this year of the priest, they will give some consideration to our request. Personally it infuriates me when I see what seems to me rather unqualified individuals trying to impose their personal agenda on the whole church. I was a few years ahead of you. I was in St. Peter's Square when Pope John XXIII was announced as the new Pope in 1958.
Norbert F. Dlabal | Priest | Salina, Kansas | USA
 
I am delighted that a movement of the People of God is underway to try to reverse the decision to publish a translation of our liturgical texts which contradicts the decisions of the Second Vatican Council. We need more inclusive, understandable language with which to proclaim God's Word and to communicate with all the people of the world -- not more convoluted, exclusive language to cloud God's Word in patriarchal, triumphal language. Thank you, USA bishops, for understanding the needs of the people in the pews.
Darryl Ann Powers | Lay Person | Raleigh, NC | USA
 
I agree with Fr. Ryan on all counts. Vatican II opened the door, supposedly, for "full, active, and conscious" participation by allowing all countries to celebrate the liturgy in their vernacular languages. Language is very POWERFUL and can elevate, inspire, challenge, comfort, heal, CHANGE peoples' hearts, etc., etc. Why continue to force an ancient textual interpretation on contemporary Catholics?? People need liturgical language to help them grow in their lives of faith, not doctrinal education. Liturgy is "the work of the people," at least that's what I was taught at Notre Dame in the summer liturgy program. Let liturgy be liturgy! We can always read the Catechism at another time...
Rev. Stephen J. Blum | Priest | Toledo, Ohio | USA
 
As a head teacher of a Catholic School where the children already think I speak a foreign language as far as RE is concerned??!!! Please... let us just wait??!!
Felicity Penny | Lay Person | Hexham & Newcastle | England
 
One concern I have is relative to the potential lack of familiarity of all prayers to those who may return to the Catholic church even temporarily to celebrate various occasions. We still hope and pray that some of our family and friends who have left the church will return, and that the familiarity of prayer and celebration will draw them back in. If they return to find everything different, and find that they no longer know the prayers, will they be tempted more to stay away?
Anonymous | Lay Person | Milwaukee | United States
 
This is too serious a matter to let it go ahead as is. There are too many serious questions that must be asked of the translations. Let's not be stuck with prayers that annoy the priest and are unintelligible to the congregation. That does not make for good liturgy.
John Pickering | Priest | Wollongong | Australia
 
We completely support this idea. May common sense return to the American Church. Joseph Patrick and Dolores Mary Dunn
Joseph and Dolores Dunn | Lay Person | Sacramento, California | U.S.A.
 
Fr. Michael Ryan of Seattle has raised a significant pastoral issue for us Catholics and our Bishops. Let's wait on the implementation of the revised Roman Missal until a pilot program of the revised translation be used in several parishes across the country. Then solicit honest feedback about how the Latinized translations help or hinder the people's experience of Divine Worship and their liturgical spirituality. Then appropriate revisions, if needed, can be considered. Dozens of Catholics from different parishes have voiced their concern to me in recent weeks about how these revised translations and phraseologies might adversely affect our faithful Catholics' spirituality and possibly lead to even more discouragement with or attrition from our Church. I believe we need to wait on the implementation!
Eugene A. Pouliot | Priest | St. Paul & Minneapolis | U.S.
 
I am a Catholic High School Theology teacher and lay minister in about four different ministries. I love my Church, but this is change for the sake of change - it takes us (and my students and prospective Church members) further away from God, not closer. Please, let's put the brakes on. Come, Holy Spirit!
Jennifer Knight | Lay Minister | Billings/Great Falls MT | USA
 
Father Ryan's article speaks for many priests who have sampled these texts. They are cast in an archaic and even pompous English which will hinder the presider's efforts to pray with and for the People of God. Using many of these texts in the public prayer of the church is would be like using the King James version of the bible as the translation for the Liturgy of the Word.
Rev. Steven M. Avella | Priest | Milwaukee | USA
 
I am a minister of music at our small rural church of SS Peter and Paul in Glenmont Ohio. After reading some of the translations, I really have a concern that if people hear prayers that are poor grammatically, and unintelligible because of use of obscure words, they will stop listening and miss the beauty and prayerfulness of our liturgy. I also cringe at the thought of trying to render that Gloria in song!
Mary Beyer LaVigne | Lay Person | Columbus, Ohio | USA
 
I am tired of the hierarchy trying to revoke Vatican II . We need meaningful translations -accurate ,but not necessarily literal .If the Pope and his appointees spent as much time trying to make the church more relevant in people's lives -helping to deepen our spirituality as they do trying to do away with collegiality ,& being focused on control & legality ,we -the people of God ,would be a lot better off .
Marie B Sharkey | Lay Minister | Albany,NY | USA
 
As an English professor sensitive to the complexities of translation, I believe this proposed translation is wrong-headed. It does not recognize the importance of local culture nor the power of language-specific idioms. Most disconcerting is the complete disregard of advice from liturgists and language experts.
Dr. Monica Weis SSJ | Religious | Rochester | USA
 
In my opinion, this is just another case of the ongoing attempt to dismantle the blessed reforms of the Second Vatican Council. I am totally disheartened and hardly know how I can possibly put this latest decree into effect in my parish when I lack any spirit to do so. The virtue of hope is slowly but surely being crushed in my heart.
Msgr Leonard E. Racki | Priest | Pueblo, CO | USA
 
The prayer of the faith community is too important not to give translations the consideration they deserve BY THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE PRAYING WITH THESE TEXTS! Please do NOT proceed with this tragic translation of our prayer!
Luisa Derouen | Religious | Tucson, AZ | USA
 
I lived in Taiwan when the Mandarin speaking bishops rammed through A Taiwanese version of the liturgy based in a character by character reading in Taiwanese. ( The Taiwanese make up 80%-85% of the island's population.) The excuse was that at mixed group liturgies all would be able to pray in unison. The result was a bastardized, insulting Taiwanese text that showed disrespect and disregard for a language much older and elegant than Mandarin and for the PEOPLE who spoke it. Taiwanese Catholics buckled under since they were so accustomed to being controlled from above. A few simply reworded the text when they came to the offending sections. The insulting text remains the "official" text to this day.
Ronald Boccieri | Lay Person | Albany, NY | USA
 
I work in a Metis village in Canada. The people do not have English as a first language. It seems to me that the new translation will be very confusing and not very prayerful
Ethel T Detz | Religious | Keewatin Le Pas | Canada
 
I was in Rome as a religious for the opening of VaticIan II , and for the next 2 years. The excitement for change was real and exciting. What has happened since is not only sad and un- believable, but also not of the Spirit. The kind of church that has "taken over" is very cult-like. There is very little input from the laity and unless we claim our own rights, there will be little left that is truly worth hanging around for. Certainly Jesus can no longer recognize this hierarchical web of power hungry control freaks.
Jim Green | Lay Minister | Madison | USA
 
This new translation has already been implemented here and is dreadful - the grammar is incorrect and some of it does not make any sense. My children are 13 and 9 - how can they possibly have sinned "grievously"? My daughter (13) is already starting to question how this applies to her and if they take that attitude forward, how are we going to keep people within the Church? Please don't "fix" what isn't broken.
Victoria Miller | Lay Person | Johannesburg | South Africa
 
As a theology instructor, I cringe to think how I would explain the new translation to my high school students. Already feeling disenfranchised, they would completely abandon any connection to liturgy should this be adopted.
Michael Danielson | Lay Minister | Seattle | USA
 
I am reminded of what happens to me when something in my life feels out of control-I want to clean house, move furniture, and tell everybody how to organize their closets and drawers! Clearly, it is about avoidance of the real underlying issues that need to be PRAYERFULLY EXAMINED IN DIALOGUE with those who live under the same roof. Please do not leave me - a layperson - out of the dialogue.
Anna Y. Loebe | Lay Person | Tucson | USA
 
Please "WAIT" on these changes until the local churches and parishioners are consulted.......as they should be. I find this action by a small group of men, without regard to the local communities of Catholics, unbelievable. It is especially disheartening at a time when TV commercials are running calling fallen away Catholics "home". Home to more of the same.......a hierarchy that fails to listen to its people? Shame on you!
Bonnie Falcone | Lay Minister | Cook County | USA
 
What I have seen of the translations shows an obvious lack of understanding of modern English and of the Latin language.
George Schlegel | Priest | Columbus | U.S.A.
 
I am grateful to support the call for a pilot project regarding the proposed translation of the Roman Missal. As a professpr of spirituality and a spiriutal director for many years, I am concerned how the proposed translations will affect the prayer life of the faithful.
Alexandra Kovats, csjp | Religious | Seattle Archdiocese | USA
 
I support Fr Ryan's position in this matter. It is my opinion as a layman that our church leaders should be striving for clarity in our chrurch's prayers rather than adding what I call "Fog Factor" to it. God showed us the way by becoming man, one might hope our heierarchy could accept the hint.
James G. McOmber | Lay Person | Seattle | USA
 
i knew in the 60's that this would not last.... pope john must be turning over in his grave...... he at least gave the laity a chance ....what pope, bishop, priest would want to let the church be lead by the laity....after all we are not as informed as they...at least that is what is implied in their gatherings...i'm seventy four this year and i am glad that God gave me the chance to see what our church could have been, and would have been.... a vibrant and interactive community from top of the ladder to the bottom of the ladder ....i thank you Lord....
alyce ostaszewski | Lay Person | rockford illinois | usa
 
i don't think most lay people are aware of the controversy and we need more information. I would hate to see Vatican II undermined.
Betty McAllister | Lay Person | Winona, MN | U.S.A.
 
As DRE of a large parish, I agree with the concerns stated above. Thank you for heralding the cause.
Rachel Casey | Lay Minister | Norwich Connecticut | United States
 
I find the literal adherence to Latin which was not the original language puzzling. What if the scholar meant to write omni, but wrote multi in error? I enjoy authenticity, but find the use of Latin grammatical structures imposed on the English language to be very awkward and distracting. How can people pray from the heart if their minds are trying to make sense of a sentence with 5 or 6 main clauses strung together?
Ruth Vukovich | Lay Person | Erie | USA
 
As a lay minister who works in liturgy at Seattle University, I believe that this new translation will have adverse effects upon the devoted faithful of our campus. I believe that the language is cumbersome and is not conducive to prayer or ecumenism.
Daniel Pearson | Lay Person | Seattle | United States

Please be as inclusive as Jesus was and love all of us the way He told us to love. Don't be afraid to hear the words of the faithful. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love." 1 John 2:18. Thank you, Eileen Samson
Eileen Samson | Lay Person | Chicago | USA
 
The Vatican II changes took decades to implement, yet they are being done away with in a matter of months and years. I can be a member of a Protestant church and have less change than I am experiencing in the Catholic 'tradition'. Please, Please consider the needs and wants of the majority of English speaking lay people before making any changes. Vatican II spoke FOR the people and brought the church alive in the English speaking world. These changes could be its instant death. One holy catholic and apostolic Church----Are the only apostles ordained? Are the decision making hierarchy considering the mission and true life of Jesus or acting out of their own personal beliefs? Please reconsider.
Glenda Jacobson | Lay Minister | Kansas City -St Joseph | Clay
 
I strongly advocate a waiting period. It certainly can do no harm; then, if there is general agreement, the process can continue. Otherwise . . . perhaps the Spirit of God is steering us in another direction.
Francilla Kirby | Religious | Chicago | USA
 
Some kind of letting the Holy Spirit speak through the baptized is needed. Doing some research among the faithful is in the spirit of Jesus as we seek not to impose but to teach in the area of prayer.
Edward Littelmann | Priest | Toledo | United States of America
 
"Before speaking we must take great care to listen not only to what people say, but more important to what they have it in their hearts to say" Paul VI Ecclesiam suam (#87) Have the bishops listened to our hearts?
Judith & Dennis O'Brien | Lay Person | Burlington, VT | USA
 
I am a laicized priest, so I hope that the addition of my name will help and not hinder the project. I am so glad that someone is making a point about those terrible translations, as well as the process which produced them. I don't see any other way to protest, other than withhold my contributions, and I remember talking many people out of such a move when I was in the active ministry. Thanks.
Leonard Wilkuski | Lay Person | Saginaw | USA
 
The anticipated changes may meet the desires of the hierarchy, but I don't see how these changes will make the laity more aware of Christ's gospel. Our priests should be preaching on the real issues that face the people of the world, such as war, terrorism, injustice to the poor and those who do not have the political or economic resources to fight for themselves.
Carlo J. Sabetti | Deacon | Providence | USA
 
Having been a teenager during the changes in the liturgy, I have come to appreciate the responses in English. I consider these responses sacred text and to change them, as I have heard their awkward translations, would be a slap in the face to all the parishioners who have learned them, memorized them and taught them to their children. The translations seem to me more of an effort to separate the clergy from everyone else. Although some are ordained, we are all called to the royal priesthood by virtue of our baptism. And as a cradle catholic, this I learned by being called. Thank you Fr. Ryan for caring for the people in your flock.
Anonymous | Lay Minister | Oakland | United States
 
I wholeheartedly agree with Father Ryan that we should consult with the "faithful" as regards any changes in the prayers of the liturgy ("work of the faithful"). Didn't the Holy Father himself speak to the Pastoral Council of Rome on May 26th of 2009 about the "co-responsibility of the laity" in the building up of the Body of Christ?
Niles Kauffman | Religious | Milwaukee | USA
 
I have been a foreign language teacher, and know first-hand that "literal" translations are not the norm nor the best quality. Rather, the spirit of the words, phrases, syntax, and intent of the speaker or writer must be honored and incorporated. The translations we have been using since Vatican II respect this principle, and certainly bear the imprint of the Holy Spirit moving in the work of the Second Vatican Council. These proposed changes are a huge step backwards, and will only serve to confuse and divide the faithful. Please, abandon this project for the greater good of the Church.
Anonymous | Religious | St. Louis, M0 | USA
 
Another example of a church in trouble attempting to salvage its outworn hierarchical monarchy, in a world which has never before had such tremendous need of credible spiritual leadership.
Sarah McMahan | Lay Minister | Seattle | USA
 
The Second Vatican Council and other councils are the highest authority in the Roman Catholic Church. How can a small group overturn the work of the Council? Their authority to make these changes is not authentic. We cannot follow.
Judith Beaumont | Lay Person | Venice in Florida | US
 
Thank you for courageously initiating a very sensible approach to evaluating these unfortunate, confusing, and unintelligible liturgical translations to be imposed on us by Rome, and, sadly, rubber stamped by a majority of our American bishops. Now, just when American Catholic parishioners have finally learned to respond and sing the liturgy with spirit, is not the time to throw convoluted, outdated phraseology at us. Our bishops should have known better than to approve this. Hopefully, the good sense of our pastors will prevail.
Kathie A. Breheny | Lay Minister | Albany | USA
 
I am extremely concerned about the proposed changes to the liturgy. As a lay woman, I struggle frequently with some of the decisions of our bishops regarding ministry and exclusion of certain persons because of their ideas, their personal realities or practices. Praying with the Body of Christ on Sunday is the heart of why I continue to be Catholic - the richness of the liturgical prayers and rituals. I am hoping and praying that the Bishops see the light soon. Thank you, Fr. Ryan, for giving us a voice.
Christie Billups | Lay Minister | Chicago | USA
 
I am a convert and the beauty and flow of the Mass is what attracted me to the church. This new language is ridiculous. Please wait and reconsider.
Patricia Marx | Lay Minister | Scranton | USA
 
I was in my twenties when the Second Vatican Council ended and we were excited and hopeful about the changes in our Church: a new approach to the study of the Scriptures, a more welcoming attitude to those of other faiths, an emphasis on collegiality in the hierarchy, a new understanding of the role of the laity in the Church, and much more. The changes that took place in the liturgy, including the use of English for we Anglophones, was one of the most noticeable advances. Care was taken to make the liturgical English usage correct, intelligible and warmly prayerful. Now a myopic group of navel-gazers are pulling it all apart. It is sad and shameful.
Brian Halferty | Lay Minister | Archdiocese of Toronto | Canada
 
The exit from the Catholic Church has already begun with it's charge to yesterday. Vatican II is not even 50 years out and it appears that Vatican I has more traction in some circles. The proposed changes in the liturgy make so little sense that there is no need to explain it. There is a need to explain why it is being implemented and why at this time. There are many more pressing needs in the world than tinkering with language. I feel it better to shelve this translation and continue with what we have. Shift the focus to the gospel of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the God of love.
Tom Rowan | Lay Minister | Archdiocese of New York | USA
 
I've followed the commentary of The Most Rev Donald Trautman of the Erie, PA Diocese on this matter. He provided us parish priests a workshop several years ago at the invitation of our then Bishop Anthony Bosco. We clergy agreed his appreciation for the Liturgy in English is masterful and MUST be taken into account, which is a major reason I'm endorsing this effort.
Bernard A. Survil | Priest | Greensburg, PA | USA
 
My trust in the leadership of our USA hierarchy has been seriously challenged by their inability to withstand the pressure of Roman curia domination which is so obviously contrary to the spirit and letter of the Second Vatican Council. Where is collegiality? Where is the input of a once highly respected ICEL (now disbanded or at least stripped of all effective power to provide intelligent input of culturally effective english translations)?
Richard A. Brobst | Priest | Youngstown, Ohio | USA
 
Your opening statement about the process and overwhelming approval of the translation we are poised to jettison reminds me of what is at stake. The proposed translation has serious theological and philosophical ramifications that do not seem to be in accord with the vision of the Second Vatican Council. Most obviously, it elevates Latin, a dead language, to a pedestal that it does not deserve, as if to say that God uses Latin and so should we. Now, having a universal language in which to argue church matters is not a bad idea. Translations that prefer word precision over sense and intent is a bad idea. God bless us every one.
Rose Barry | Lay Minister | San Jose | USA
 
As one who has been involved in Liturgical music the entire 50 years of my religious life, and who now works with a predominantly immigrant population; as one who sees the effects of globalization , poverty, human trafficking, hunger, violence, war, economic instability, and a host of other ills impacting the lives of our people, I am hard-pressed to find a reason WHY the Bishops are about to subject the Church --the PEOPLE of GOD-- have spent all these years on these translations and are about to subject us to a liturgy that will upset the many and be even more incomprehensible to the rest. Are we TRYING to push our people away from the altar? Are we not supposed to understand, to be able to take into our hearts the worship we share each day, each week? Is this what Jesus would do? This is the very kind of thing that will send people away in droves. I to deeply hope the voice of the people will have an impact and that the bishops will LISTEN and WAIT.
Elizabeth Dowd | Religious | New York | USA
 
There are so many reasons NOT to proceed with these changes that I keep asking myself, what is motivating the bishops to do this. Has anyone heard any good arguments in favor of it?
Fr. Alan Yost, SJ | Priest | Yakima | USA
 
If this pilot program is implemented I will have renewed faith and hope in the "powers that be".
Gloria Switzer | Lay Person | Grand Rapids, MI | USA
 
I became a Roman Catholic in the 1970s. I was a young woman who was definitely Christian but more than a little dissatisfied with the Protestant church in which I had been raised. I went to every Christian denomination before I approached the Catholic chaplain at the university I was attending. He had been a missionary for a number of years, and in many ways was and continues to be a dear friend and guide in my own faith journey. I still remember him telling me in our first meeting that, as opposed to the Protestant denominations, Catholicism provided a structure in its liturgy and he still says, "Ah, we are a sacramental people." I chose Catholicism because of the mass. I love the mass, as it is - in my own language, in a language that is not only English but is plain English of the kind of I speak in my every day life. And I was able to teach my children in language that was comprehensible what the mass was for their First Communion when they were 7. The short snippets here are ridiculous and deserve laughter. I would support all priests and bishops in their objections to this program. It is one more example of the Vatican's attempts to push Catholicism back into the middle ages - with a feudal structure and now a liturgy that belongs in another millenium. Jesus came to fulfill the law of love - for humanity, not for rules. Out of love for the community of the faithful, I would encourage all bishops and priests to wait before those of us are inflicted with this silliness. We will walk - with our feet. The Church is not the Vatican.
Patricia Smiley | Lay Person | Toronto | Canada
 
"HUMPTY DUMPTY IN THE VATICAN" BY WILLIAM GRIMM DOCUMENTS THIS LANGUAGE INITIATIVE AS A TRULY GLOBAL CONCERN. DID NOT THE CHURCH SHIFT TO THE VULGATE FROM THE GREEK IN RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE? FR MICHAEL RYAN IS TO BE APPLAUDED FOR USING GRASS ROOT TECHNOLOGY TO INVITE GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE CHURCH.
Charles Beausoleil | Priest | Boston | USA
 
Why don't we just put off the entire misbegotten project until the laity is surveyed on its opinion regarding a new translation of the Roman Missal? We are the ones upon whom the revisions are being inflicted and, despite constant reminding that the Church is not a democracy, we should at least have a chance to register our opinions on this matter. We're not exactly witnessing overflow crowds at Sunday masses these days.
Robin Ryan Bughman | Lay Person | Bridgeport | USA
 
I shudder to think about what will happen if this awful translation is implemented as it now exists. Mass participation is certain to go down even if people are physically present. They MAY obediently parrot the words ( wont!) without understanding them properly as they do not speak OUR vernacular and violate our grammar. ICEL did a fine job translating into modern vernacular sensitive to cultural pluralism. Their translation meets the goal of liturgy as defined by Vatican II, "full, active, participation" by the whole people of God. The new translation may please Roman traditionalists but not the people the Church should serve. We can and should do better!
Peggy Saunders | Lay Person | San Francisco | USA
 
If the bishops decline to "test" the new language of the Mass, those attached to the current style should not worry. Since it is permissible to celebrate using the Missal of 1962, and Anglo-Catholics have been assured that their liturgical language will be respected and preserved, why would those attached to the liturgical language of the Novus Ordo not have the same latitude to continue using that language? If the US Bishops have determined that the language should be changed, all well and good. But in the current spirit of sensitivity exhibited toward those attached to other forms of Mass and liturgical language, Rome will surely make a like accommodation for those who have become attached to the usage of the last 40 years.
Daniel McLellan, OFM | Priest | Raleigh | USA
 
Why does the Vatican keep trying to pull us back to Latin? As I understand it, St. Jerome was asked to translate the bible into Latin because the people in the Latinized part of the world couldn't understand Greek which had been the liturgical language up until then. A similar struggle is going on now but the Vatican isn't listening. Why should our translation sound like a literal reading of the Latin? Does this bring us closer to the mystery of the sacraments? Of course not. It will only make it harder for parishioners to derive anything meaningful from the liturgy. It will be a total distraction. I'll be looking for a parish that hasn't succumbed to this idiocy.
Patricia Vanderslice | Lay Minister | Washington, D.C. | USA
 
Please respect our Catholic right to a vibrant liturgy in a language that is meaningful and understandable to the people who use it. Please respect the exhaustive work of experts over a period of 15 years who have sought to give us such a liturgy. Please respect the Vatican 11 principle of collegiality and Bishops, please exercise that principle with fidelity and courage for the sake of the people you serve.
Marjorie A. Kearney | Lay Minister | Boston, MA | US
 
I am a priest of Richmond, living in Mesa. Az. in retirement. It seems to me beyond comprehension that the Bishops have so little pastoral concern re these changes. Pray the Holy Spirit moves powerfully in this movement and brings this insanity to a halt!!!
william f condon | Priest | richmond, va | usa
 
I am not what one might call an activist, but I cannot continue to remain silent while our bishops continue to do things that cause further loss of their credibility as pastoral leaders. Thank you for providing this venue where I can respectfully express my disappointment with this type of leadership - or lack thereof.
Stan A Kokorowski | Lay Person | Los Angeles | USA
 
Bishop Murray, Please consider the above statement before agreeing that the Youngstown Diocese should adhere to the new liturgical changes in language usage. From what I have read, the new translation will not enhance the liturgy but only make it very difficult to follow and use by the people in the pews. I pray that you and the other bishops can agree to a trial period before implementing the suggested changes, because what is the hurry? This way a clearer picture of what the changes in language can actually accomplish in a parish may come to light. It certainly is worth a try.
JoAnn Welch | Lay Minister | Youngstown | USA
 
I teach children ages 3-12 in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. One of our primary purposes is to guide children toward greater participation in the Mass. These missal changes are trivial and will lead to more confusion not only for the youngsters, but also for their parents. I see this as another deterrent to the people of the Church developing a strong relationship with the Roman Catholic Church and God.
Jo Thornley Cox | Lay Person | Diocese of Kansas City-St.Joseph, Mo. | USA
 
There's a difference between an accurate translation of a text which conveys both it's meaning and intent and a transliteration which disregards meanings woven into the cultural context of a target language. It's the difference between poetry and jargon. What I have seen of the new English translations falls into the second category. Idiomatic English is a modern language that is exquisitely sensitive to cultural context in its communication of unequivocal meaning. Liturgical catechesis cannot be asked to substitute for an evocative text. At best it can serve as a medium for translating English into English. This catechetical effort would be unnecessary if we had a culturally nuanced translation. We need to employ the large amounts of time, meditation, consultation, artistry and skill needed to produce a text worthy of our tradition of divine worship. Effective pastoral ministry demands our best efforts.
John A. Molyn | Priest | Albany, NY | USA
 
Your article and a Commentary by William Grimm on the same page of the NCR got me to this step. During December I read a series of articles by a deacon in the Davenport Catholic Messenger. I realized the translations were another step backward and again minimizing the role of Vatican II in a not so subtle way. I needed to give my voice in opposition to the new ROMAN missal.
Patricia Spratt | Lay Minister | Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. | USA
 
Liturgy needs to communicate God's message of love. Using translations that are unintelligible and violate basic English grammar because they are closer to the verbiage of a dead language, (one not used by Jesus or the writers of the scripture), make no sense and are counter intuitive. Since those who prefer Latin have been given permission to have Mass in their language preference, can we get permission to continue to use the present translation, because we prefer to use words that more clearly and effectively communicate the power of the sacraments of God's love.
Robert Schneider | Priest | Winona | USA
 
While I find that some of the proposed translations may lend a greater dignity to the liturgy, which I welcome, I still believe that the process by which they are being imposed, without consultation by priests and laity, is unfortunate. The exercise of collegiality will not undermine, but rather strengthen, the legitimate structures of authority in the church.
Henry Millstein | Lay Person | San Francisco | USA
 
Thank you for giving some sense of hope to this career liturgist who loves God, the liturgy, and the supple capacity of the English language to express what is in our souls. This translation would earn a D in any first-year Latin class, and we, the People of God, deserve better.
Glenn Lamb McCoy | Lay Minister | Orlando | USA
 
as director of youth services in my diocese, i am still extremely concerned as to the impact the new translation will have on young people. the present language is already difficult to access - let alone the new translation which is at best archaic and at worst just a purely bad job.
Fr Joe Wheat | Priest | Nottingham | England
 
Please give the people something that is spiritual and poetic. This is our Liturgy. This is who we are.
Robert Wicht, sds | Religious | priest of the Society of the Divine Savior | United States
 
Even if this is tilting at windmills, it is worth the tilt!
Judy Wargin | Lay Minister | Milwaukee, WI | USA
 
the orations need to be released for study a.s.a.p. I hear they are awful, but I'd like to see for myself.
Father Mark Woodruff | Priest | San Angelo | USA
 
I agree. Thank you for your efforts. Good Luck!!! IS THERE ANYBODY LISTENING OUT THERE???
Maryann Hoban | Lay Minister | Chicago, IL | U.S.A.
 
I realize that the Roman Catholic Church is not a democracy, but I believe that it would be an act of charity for the Vatican to listen to the voice of the people when that voice is not attempting to change any teaching on faith or morals.
Michael Stabile | Lay Person | Pittsburgh | USA
 
I am happy to see someone standing up to the dismantling of the vision of church promulgated at Vatican II. I am also very proud of my own bishop, Donald Trautman, for his attempts to get the US bishop's conference to actually think about what they are doing.
Marlene and Jerry Trambley | Lay Person | Erie, PA | USA
 
Incomplete sentences, poor translations, awkward language, and the use of archaic words hardly helps prayer and worship. Overall, to describe many features of this translation, the appropriate word is "ineffable"!
James F. Kuhns | Priest | Spokane | USA
 
This is like trying Esperanto! It did not work!
Rev. Msgr. Willian Van Ommeren | Priest | Spokane | Washington
 
I have read the various articles - Father Ryan's article in America and Tom Fox's editorial - I have talked with many priest friends - and have prayed over this question - I have come to agree completely with this inspiring effort - I am a Vatican II priest - ordained just before the Council - I love our Catholic liturgy - and I see in the eyes of the people of my parish an understanding of what is happening at Eucharist - I would truly be saddened to distract and confuse the people - not to mention that some of these changes confuse and distract me.
William G. Muench | Priest | Ogdensburg, New York | USA
 
I am grateful for this small opportunity to register an opinion about a large disappointment perpetrated by both our American bishops and our Roman church. Over the past several years the drift away from Vatican II as "home base" for us has become faster and wider to the point of losing our bearings. Rather than deepening our study of the Council we endure endless diversions such as the present scenario. All this feels much like the imbroglio over communion in the hand of a few years back. Might we simply stop for a while and think about this. Perhaps a different conversation will begin.
James Hansen | Lay Person | Richmond | U.S.
 
I have been following this concern since I heard Bishop Trautman speak at our church in the Fall of 2008. Good to see another pastor speaking up on behalf of the faithful. We are struggling here in Cleveland with a bishop who listens but does not hear; who shows up but is not present; who prefers intimidation to intimacy. Pray for us.
Anonymous | Lay Person | Cleveland | United States
 
It is very upsetting to see this translation being pushed through. It demonstrates not only a tin ear when it comes to liturgy, it demonstrates more seriously a callousness in regard to the sensitivities and needs of the people in the pew and an apparent belief that the Vatican can just bully its way through to anything it wants and the Catholic people should just accept it. We won't.
Nancy Dwyer | Lay Person | Rockville Centre | USA
 
Thank you for this effort! If nothing else it shows Bishop Trautman that he is not totally alone. I don't really expect it to have any effect, but we must at least keep fighting the losing battle to preserve some remnant of the Council. This gibberish they are foisting on us is just one more step in taking us back to the Tridentine liturgy. The Vatican and the majority of the American Bishops don't give a damn about us and what we think or need. We are just a group of inferiors who in Cardinal George's phrase "Christ has given us to govern".  Obviously the order Jesus gave to the Zebedee boys doesn't apply to them!
Thomas W. McGohey | Lay Minister | Charlotte,NC | USA
 
I've written Cardinals, Nuncio etc, written you, Fr. Ryan, and am urging all groups of priests I know to support this venture.
Rev. Donald A. Blaes | Priest | Belleville | USA
 
In South Africa we have already implemented phase one of the changes. I am a young Catholic and feel that this is a retrogressive step. The English is awkward and begs the question why we are going backwards instead of forwards. The liturgy is most disappointing but obviously in line with the now conservative outlook.
Kerryann | Lay Person | Cape Town | South Africa
 
I am a director of liturgy and have a MDIV with a focus on Sacred Liturgy. Thank you for attempting to give the voice of the people an opportunity to be heard. As you know 'liturgy' means "work of the people". My hope is that Sacred Liturgy truly is the work of the people and not just a practice in following rubrics.
Michael Strande | Lay Minister | St. Paul/Minneapolis | USA
 
This is so stupid -- akin to rearranging chairs on the deck of the Titanic. There are so many more problems the Church needs to address [global warming and resource depletion, water scarcity, priest shortage, hemorrhaging of the Catholic community]. But this gives bureaucrats in the Vatican the illusion of control and power, proving their insensibility. And our bishops kowtow because "Simon says". Jesus says just before he sets the example of prayer in the Lord's Prayer he warns us not to prattle on like the pagans who think they will win a hearing by the sheer multiplication of words -- well, guess who didn't get the memo. To think that just by a slavish word for word translation from Latin with its own idioms into English with its own idioms is idiocy. If the bishops think this will get folk back in the pew and increase the sense of the sacred, then think again. This is magical thinking. Why weren't anthropologist and linguists consulted? Why weren't poets who are aware of the power of Anglo-Saxon rhythms in our language. Convolution and abstraction for their own sake are not invitation to Mystery, just obfuscation.
Charles Morris | Priest | Archdiocese of Detroit | USA
 
As a devout Catholic , I am sickened by the lengths the new Pope is going in an effort to marginalize Vatican II. It is a scary time for the modern-day Catholic. I was drawn to sign this after hearing a sermon on sainthood. The priest reminded us that saints are ordinary people taking extraordinary actions. Kudos to the priests and religious that are standing up and saying, "Wait a minute". God bless us all in the new year.
Lelia Kramer | Lay Person | Cincinnati | USA
 
Plain speech is a better pastoral tool than florid Latinate English. We also don't need language that makes Jesus and Mary seem less human and more mysterious. Mary was a woman who suffered, and Jesus was human as well as divine.
Marc Guidry | Lay Person | Sacred Heart Church, Nacogdoches, TX | USA
 
This is just one more attempt to undo the work of the Second Vatican Council in order to restore the Church to the "Golden Era" of the 1950's. It is offensive to the ear, the mind and the heart.
James A Leith | Lay Person | St. Paul/Minneapolis | United States
 
Thank you for suggesting a continued dialogue on this matter. I am a young person in the Church and have been trying to hold on to my religious tradition for a while -- despite so very many problems in the RC Church. Comfort in the prayers spoken at Mass is one of the few things that keep me returning. Please don't place me and many others like me in a position of having to look elsewhere to find a prayer space we can call home.
Anne Lally | Lay Person | East Anglia | United Kingdom
 
The literal Latin translations are as bad as the "ponies" of the Latin classics we used for six years in the seminary. The slavish retention of complex Latin sentence structure is a fatal flaw to contemporary communication in English. "Lex orandi, lex credendi" surely must be revised in this inferior, not improved, translation of liturgical texts to "lex orandi, lex incomprehendi".
Paull A. Milanowski | Priest | Grand Rapids | USA
 
The changes are such that all they achieve is purely irritation .
Mike Collier | Lay Person | Cape Town | South Africa
 
I have a PhD in Greek and Latin from Yale and have taught the languages and studied early Christianity for over 30 years. These translations are indefensible by any educated person and should be resisted. I consider myself a conservative and I have never before publicly opposed a position of the hierarchy. But the bishops' (and pope's) teaching authority does not extend to grammar. Other authorities trump them there. They ought to recognize that.
John D. Madden | Lay Person | Orange, CA | USA
 
With the really pressing and significant issues facing the Church today, I find it hard to believe that the Church is focused on this issue. Even putting that concern aside, these changes will alienate the older folks that look for consistency as well as the younger folks (the future of the Church, btw) who will: a) ask themselves the first sentence of this paragraph, above and b)see this draconian language as a giant step backwards with respect to relating to the next generation.
claude perasso | Lay Person | San Francisco | USA
 
Truly, our bishops need to be of one mind on this important issue. Unfortunately, they are not of one mind neither on this, nor on many other issues. It is stunning to see the same level of polarization among our church leaders as we find among our leaders in Congress. What a dreadful shame!
Desmond P Daly | Priest | St. Petersburg | United States
 
Thank you for your efforts to review this controversial issue. Doesn't anyone remember that the liturgy in effect prior to Vatican II remained in effect for over 400 years? As it is only 40 years since Vatican II, can we not give this Council's decrees and documents the same amount of time to determine effectiveness and validity? Thank God for John XXIII. If only God had allowed him more time to energize this complacent church!!
Catherine L. Ryan | Lay Person | Philadelphia | USA
 
Violates the directive of a Council. I was taught that a Council Document has higher authority than even a Papal document.
Edward Reading, Ph.D. | Priest | Paterson | USA
 
As Director of Liturgy in Seattle, I implemented Vat II liturgical changes there. Using a cost-benefit analysis, the cost (upset, turmoil, rancor) I believed was worth the benefit (a greatly improved liturgy). In the current proposed changes, I see the same costs but none of the benefit. I am disappointed in our Bishops Conference. Their attempts to save the translation was desultory and their obsequiousness unworthy of an episcopal conference. They succumbed to a well-known Roman tactic: attrition. Rome wore them down!!!!
Paul P.Purta | Lay Person | Baltimore | USA
 
This will just make it more difficult to keep young people coming to mass regularly and further alienate those whom we are trying to bring back. Please Lord, save us from ourselves and all those who believe they are more "yours" than the rest of us.
Nicholas E. Mueller | Lay Person | Chicago | USA
 
I believe the proposed translations to the Eucharistic Prayers are difficult to speak and even more difficult to understand. The presider will likely struggle to complete and interpret multi-clause sentences. The participant at the Eucharistic Prayer, on the other hand, will struggle against catatonia. Might we not yet see the return of rosaries diligently fingered throughout the mass?
Gregory C. Chisholm, SJ | Priest | Oakland | USA
 
This process has been ridiculous and the Bishops should be ashamed of themselves. They have given up their leadership to an out-dated Roman Curia. We need our voice back and we need to focus on the needs of the people rather than the needs of Rome. This is the worship of the people we are talking about. Let us do waht is best for our people. DEB
Rev. David E. Beauvais | Priest | Rockford, IL | USA
 
While I admit I have not read all of what it coming in the Mass, I am familiar with some of the changes. I became more interested when I was invited by Oregon Catholic Press to participate in a survey and review new Mass settings. We were sent the changes in the Celtic Mass and three others and asked to evaluate it. All of it was pretty awful. Talk about taking a beautiful Mass and ruining it. For me I thought this was the tip of the iceberg. I got online and read about a lot of it and all I could do was ask "why?"
Connie Geiger | Lay Person | Cincinnati | USA
 
I cannot support these actions of the church that are more concerned with form than substance, and imposed hierarchically. Jesus railed against the clergy that imposed rules on the people rather than inspiring them through action. The more the powers in the church impose regulations and requirements rather than listening to the people and allowing some plurality within the church, the less able I am to support with attendance or with finances. Just as Jimmy Carter finally had to break with his church of many years because of his stance about women, I may need to leave when the form becomes more important than the spirit and when there is little regard for the impact on the ordinary person. I wish the bishops would focus on social justice and welcome dialogue, a needed stance in our world of division.
Anonymous | Lay Person | Oakland | usa
 
Seek guidance from the words of God, which are beautiful, poetic, and simple. Please discern with discretion and act not in haste. Patience, prudence and planning please, this is our faith and our parish, please do unto others as you would have done to yourself!
Diana Kaminski | Lay Person | Phoenix | USA
 
By baptism all followers have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit guides each believer to take on the mind of Jesus, and to act according to the charism they are called to exercise in the Mystical Body. The people of God has need for many different charisms but no single member is above another, just as no member of the human body can say to another member; I have no need of you. The health of Christ's Mystical body is rooted in the working together of all the members. What we see here in this instance of the imposition of ill conceived liturgical decrees is a prime example of the stifling of the Spirit, a smothering of the lifeblood of the people of God.
John J. Hollohan | Lay Person | Venice Florida | U.S.A.
 
This first translation was from Latin to Vat II theology. The latest translation is from Latin to pre Vat II theology - ie "with you" will now be "with your spirit". It is an exact translation but, unfortunately, a translation that reflects a dualism the Church no longer holds. In fact, Benedict's strongest argument against free love is that you can separate the body from the spirit. So, when the new translation becomes effective his argument will contradict what the church prays. There are other examples just as bad if not worse than that one. You should have a page like this for the people to sign.
Richard Bain | Priest | San Francisco | US
 
I remember this kind of language being used before Vatican II and found it at that time to be very stitled and was so happy when it was revised to be a language I could comfortably pray. I 'm unhappy to see this kind of language being brought back again!
Mary Beth Kamp | Lay Person | Detroit Michigan | USA
 
As a poet and a priest, I do not want to address the Divinity in inelegant language or subject God's people to English which will sound off putting to the American ear. It's hard to sell Americans on something that doesn't seem to serve a purpose and this new translation of the Sacramentary does not seem to serve a good purpose.
Frank Desiderio, C.S.P. | Priest | Los Angeles | United States
 
hip hip hooray
Martha Goode | Lay Minister | Lansing MI / Detroit | USA
 
It is heartbreaking to me that the bishops, who are the shepherds closest to the people after their parish priests, are having their authority undermined. The Council was a universal gathering of bishops. Why are its documents now ignored?
Trudie L. Atkinson | Lay Minister | Portland in Oregon | USA
 
An advantage to being retired, I don't have to try to explain these latest changes. I am simply not convinced that God will be more pleased with the proposed new translation.
Richard Gross | Priest | Fargo | USA
 
I support the suggestions of Fr. Michael Ryan. The study text that I have reviewed is simply not a proper translation. It will distance our people from the Eucharist.
Steven Schaftlein | Priest | Indianapolis | US
 
I am deeply disturbed by these men with the Titles making decisions that are putting aside the decisions of an Historic and Valid And Licit Church Council! Following that logic, what is to prevent the dismantling of The Council of Trent??? The Council at Nicea?
Roberta Flynn | Lay Person | Boston,MA | USA
 
The movement of our parish community that was in full stewardship in the true meaning of the words into a pray, pay and obey throwback entity saddens me. The community wants to go forward in its journey with Christ and it is being stifled and lead in the opposite direction. The Church of love is being turned into the Church of fear with more emphasis on the bottom line and risk management than responding to the needs of God's people. This attack on the liturgy is a symptomatic of the many pronged attack on the existing Church community. The wound created by the proposed change will not heal easily if at all. If the idea is to shrink the Church by chasing away people who are young in age and ideas so that the small number of priests available have more controllable parishes with more docile laity than maybe that will result. When did the active laity become the enemy?
John G. Hamilton | Deacon | Palm Beach | USA
 
I hope all Catholics concerned with the dignity of the Mass sign on!
Edward Hula III | Lay Person | Atlanta | USA
 
Does it become a kind of idolatry when Latin is more important than people's relationship with God?
Paul Byrnes | Priest | Baltimore | USA
 
Enough of blind obedience to everything coming out of Rome as though dioceses were just some sort of branch offices.
Joseph J. McOscar, Ph.D. | Priest | Camden, New Jersey & Philadelphia | USA
 
We, the laity, continue to be pummeled, by unknown and unnamed fists. In my lifetime, we have moved from hope, movement, inquiry, excitement, light and an experience of journey to one of embarrassment, anger, and bewilderment.
Kathleen Conroy | Lay Person | Hartford, CT | USA
 
I would support a revision of the "revision". I cannot understand why the bishops would not listen to Bishop Trautman who is a liturgist and scripture scholar. The bishops have simply grown tried of the process. The bishops should have told Rome that the Missal translated by the former ICEL group should be accepted.
Tony Bickett | Priest | Owensboro | US
 
Having adopted the new liturgy in our parish I find it less meaningful, less beautiful and very clinical. Consequently I have decided to listen rather than to recite the prayers. As a caring member of the African continent which is exceedingly poor, the costs associated with upgrading all printed material for parishes will siphon funds from much needed caring projects for feeding, supporting and maintaining the destitute. In conclusion such a waste of money is obscene for something which I find less meaningful and consequently the church will lose, I will lose and the needy will lose.
Andrew Harris | Lay Person | Lady Of Mercy, Kloof, KZN | South Africa
 
Once again, the laity are being treated like uneducated children. When will Rome and our own American bishops realize that we are not the same laity they powered over in the two previous centuries? When will they actually work with the laity to make changes or adjustments? Not in my lifetime, I am certain.
Maggie Dohr | Lay Person | Las Cruces, New Mexico | USA
 
It is incredible to me that the most "ecumenical" and "worldwide" council ever can be so summarily dismissed by the exact people who seem to want to emphasize orthodox, loyalty, obedience and so on. I can still recall the joy in my heart when I finally understood what the "source and summit" was all about and I can feel profoundly the sadness when that joy seems to slowly being chipped away and dismantled. My question: and for what? What will the changes give us that we don't already have? My answer: exclusion, rubricism, honoring a text that is supposed to honor God, closing the windows John XXIII opened, and limiting the great sacrifice of Jesus to "many" rather than the "all" encompassing love of God.
Ken Ramon-Landry | Priest | Biloxi | USA
 
As a PhD in English and a Chapter Coordinator for Centering Prayer I fully realize the importance of language in trying to express the inexpressible. If our language is stilted, our God appears distant, unapproachable. What the gospel calls us to is not an unapproachable God, but to the embrace of unconditional love living within us.
Judi Gaitens | Lay Person | Raleigh, North Carolina | USA
 
I have Down syndrome. I receive commion. I have been an altar server for 8 years. I like the prayers that I can understand. Why do they have to change?
Gregory Terhaar | Lay Person | Spokane | USA