we've waited too long already

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Dec 21, 2009

As Catholics in the English-speaking world draws closer to an accurate translation of liturgical texts, the opponents of the new translations-- that is, the fans of the ungainly and inaccurate ICEL texts currently in use-- are begging the Vatican to hold off on implementation of the process. It's not enough that it took the space of an entire generation to put the brakes on ICEL's freewheeling work. It's not enough that 8 years have passed since Liturgiam Authenticam established sound principles to govern liturgical translations. It's not enough that Bishop Trautman and his allies pulled out all the stops in a last-ditch effort to deny American episcopal approval to the new texts. Now that those texts are approved, their critics want the Vatican to wait still longer-- and make the Catholic faithful wait still longer-- because... well, obviously because they don't want the new translations put into use.

The "Why don't we just wait" crowd has begun collecting signatures on a petition calling for inaction. So some enterprising folks have launched a counter-petition, with the title "We've Waited Long Enough." The opening sentence captures the essential idea:

We believe that the newly approved English translation of the 2002 Missale Romanum needs to be implemented as soon as possible.

Do you agree? If so please read the whole petition-- it's just a few short paragraphs-- and add your own name.