US bishops complete approval for a more accurate translation of Roman Missal
November 18, 2009
The US bishops have approved the final sections of a new translation for the Roman Missal. The translations-- which will now be presented to the Vatican for final approval-- could be in general use in American parishes by 2011.
In a series of separate vote-- all by overwhelming margins, with at least 195 in favor and no more than 20 opposed on each ballot-- the US Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the five remaining sections of the translation, completing a project that has taken 6 years.
The new translations, which adhere more closely to the authoritative Latin text of the Roman Missal, have been criticized by liberal Catholics for not using everyday language. But Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, Pennsylvania, who had led the fight against approval of the new texts, was roundly defeated in the voting at the bishops' meeting. Bishop Arthur Serratelli, the chairman of the bishops' committee on divine worship (a post formerly occupied by Bishop Trautman) observed: "No translation is perfect, but the new translation is good and worthy of our use."
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Further information:
- U.S. Bishops Complete Work On Translation Of Roman Missal (USCCB)
- US approval of new Missal translation completed (Zenit)
- Bishops advance new Mass translations despite reservations by some (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
- 3rd Edition Roman Missal (USCCB Committee on Divine Worship)
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Posted by: -
Nov. 19, 2009 8:11 PM ET USA
A blow for honesty and truth, and against mistranslations that were so far off that they were deliberately false.
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Nov. 19, 2009 11:04 AM ET USA
If the arcane word "gibbet" appears, I will just have to believe that we are all human,especially the US bishops and I will not let it ruin my worship. Who knows, I may find I'll be incorporating it in my everyday conversation!
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Posted by: -
Nov. 19, 2009 12:01 AM ET USA
We in South Africa have been using the new words for a couple of months. I love them, as do most people I think, but the implementation of the new words in my parish was an awful affair: a 'just do it' type attitude. No explanation by the priest or PPC. No motivation. Zero leadership. I urge you to spend time informing and helping the faithful. We're not idiots and some of us actually love the Church.
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Posted by: -
Nov. 18, 2009 7:52 PM ET USA
2011?! I could be dead by then. But then, I already use the "new" translations.
