Posted on 10/22/2007 6:26:46 AM PDT by maryz
To Each U.S. Roman Catholic Bishop Regarding English Translations For The Liturgy
Dear Bishop, We are writing to you, each U.S. bishop, the U.S. Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, the International Committee on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), and the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in regard to the new Vatican-ordered translation of the Liturgy. The Vatican-appointed translators have not produced a translation that is understandable to Catholics in the pews. We understand that, according to a 2005 poll of bishops, 47% of the U.S. bishops rated it "fair or poor". The media has reported that even some bishops are complaining that some texts contain "clunky and archaic language". For example, why would the words "consubstantial to the Father" be used in the Creed? What meaning do these words have for 21st century English speaking Catholics? Why use a medieval expression like, "We pray you bid" in the new Missal? This is not the way people speak today in the English-speaking world. We need to follow the liturgical principles set forth in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council. Article 21 of that document states, "Christian people, as far as possible, should be able to understand them (texts and rites) with ease". The proposed text, "he who was born ineffably of the inviolate Virgin," is not easily understandable to Christian people, much less to the youth who are leaving the Church because of its irrelevancy. Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, PA., chair of the U.S. Bishops Committee on the Liturgy, has said the proposed changes by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy are "not acceptable". We agree. We ask you to make the translations appropriate, meaningful, and significant for today's Catholic.
Jeannine Gramick SL,
Donna Quinn OP,
Beth Rindler SFP
For the Board of the National Coalition of American Nuns
I believe it was livius who used the phrase, referring to the bishops’ attitude toward what used to be known as “the faithful,” the “drooling idiots in the pews.” ;-)
When I teach my children, I hold them to the highest standards they can achieve. This has brought them two grade levels above where they would be in PS.
I think we adults can handle the language. If we don’t understand it, there is a dictionary after all!
Nope. She's not a "has-been" ... she's a "never-was".
If they don’t understand it is because you, sisters, have not been teaching well.
Or maybe you don’t understand.
Or perhaps, the truth of the matter is that you do not believe.
With new words added to the language all the time -- many of them unavoidably technical -- that nobody seems to have any problem with, what's another handful of proper terminology?
Then teach 'em English in Catholic Elementary School.
much less to the youth who are leaving the Church because of its irrelevancy.
Part of the "irrelevancy" is the watering down of doctrine and pandering to popular culture perpetrated by the likes of "Sister" Jeannine.
Since 1969, NCAN has been working, studying and speaking out on justice issues in Church and Society. trying to destroy the Church from within.
There. Fixed it for 'em.
Did you see their "NCAN Links"? "The Vatican" (I guess that's their attempt to pass themselves off as Catholic), and five of "Modern Heresy's Greatest Hits".
Deer Sistr Gramkick:
Tank you fur ryting to the bishups. I’m a Catlic gy hoo duznt unnerstan wurds lyk “comstubstitial” eethur. Da nyoo translashin isnt opropreate ur meeningfull too mee as a man uf the Twunnyfirs Senchry. Vaticum Cownsul passt a law that sed evvrywun’s got to unnerstan tha preest when he prezydz on the wurship survice. I don wanna lurn to tawk the midevil tawk on Sundy bicuz iss not acxeptibul.
Pleaz keap up the gud wurck.
-Clawd frum FreReapublick
Oh, I see what it is... She's just worried about the vast multitude of young nuns who have joined all of the orders that are trying to be 'relevant' by shedding all of those nasty symbols of rigidity like habits and embracing compassionate social action instead of traditional modes of contemplation and teaching.
</sarc>
In all seriousness... what it means for Christ to be "he who was born ineffably of the inviolate Virgin" would make a great homily reflection.
Yes! Great idea.
I love "we pray you bid" as well! Glad to see the bishops sticking up for more hieratic English.
Now if we can just get thee and thou back...
I guess all those Eastern Rite Catholics are just a lot smarter than us.
Now if we can just get rid of the execrable music.
Dear Sister, some of us pew sitters ain’t quite as dumb as you wish we were.
It strikes me that it’s the same groups who are for the dumbed-down translations and absolute avoidance of Latin as “too hard” are the ones who are calling for greater “transparency” in church finances and more lay involvement — because lay people are so much more educated than in the past!
Yeah...and wot about dat recent "mow-two prop-ree-oh", eh? Wot wuz dat about?
I believe Sr. Jeannine and her pals are "strippers".
They're out to strip the Church of anything that speaks of mystery and majesty, whether it be liturgy, architecture or music.
"Get thee to a nunnery, wench!!"
“Jeannine Gramick SL,”
Yeah, that’s all I needed to know. Ignore.
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