With the next conference of the Irish Catholic bishops set for October 3rd, 4th at Maynooth, many will be eager for news of any decision on the English translation of the Mass liturgy – a serious bone of contention for decades.
On Sep 9th, 2017 Pope Francis declared in the document ‘Magnum Principium’ that he was turning the duty of deciding the Mass texts over to local bishops.
This could open the way to an abandonment of the currently recommended translation of the missal that came into use recently – to loud criticism from many and frank rebellion from some – over terms such as ‘consubstantial’ and ‘oblation’, and endlessly ponderous sentences in the Eucharistic prayers. (One Irish priest declared these to be literally ‘unspeakable’.)
For a brief history of a half-century of church debate on the liturgy, look to the National Catholic Reporter’s article: ‘Magnum Principium’ is latest event in ‘liturgy wars’ .
For the reaction of Ireland’s Association of Catholic Priests, look to: ACP Welcomes Pope Francis’ move on Liturgical Translations
Well its worth putting it to them directly, I hope to do just that here in Kildare and leighin
Dear Bishop Denis,
with the recent announcement by Pope Francis of the restoration of national hierarchies rights to choose a translation of the celebration of the Eucharist suitable to their communities spoken English, in the spirit of subsidiarity from the second Vatican Council,on behalf of the Association of Catholics in Ireland, Carlow group , I would encourage the conference of Bishops to consider an early change from the current unsuitable translation to a text that is appropriate to celebration of the Eucharist in present day Ireland ,
with best regards,
Pascal O’Dea
ACI Carlow
In the five years or so since the imposition of the new translation by the curia, it is so noticeable that congregational responses have been muted and participation in the Mass weakened. Let’s hope the Irish bishops grasp this opportunity to revise the liturgy. I, for one, am still telling our Redeemer how happy I am to just simply receive Him without the complication of mentioning bringing Him under my roof.