At the November bishops' meeting, the new English translation for the Roman Missal was approved. It's going to have a lot of big hard to understand words in it, like "ineffable", "consubstantial" and "oblation". So, naturally this has the progressives in an uproar. Apparently they haven't heard of a dictionary. But whatever. They think the translation won't go over well with many in the congregation and it will be disruptive.
Funny thing is, when all the junk was jammed into the "new Mass" way back when, they didn't seem all that concerned that it wouldn't go over well with many in the congregation and would be disruptive. So it seems that the shoe is on the other foot, and it's kinda funny to see.
The new translation has a retired priest in Seattle, a Fr Ryan, all worried and concerned, so he formed a group called "What If We Just Said Wait?" They have a website (here) that details their mission in a "Statement of Concern":
We are very concerned about the proposed new translations of the Roman Missal. We believe that simply imposing them on our people -- even after a program of preparation -- will have an adverse effect on their prayer and cause serious division in our communities.
We are convinced that adopting translations that are highly controversial, and which leaders among our bishops as well as many highly respected liturgists and linguists consider to be seriously flawed, will be a grave mistake.
For this reason we earnestly implore the bishops of the English-speaking world to undertake a pilot program by which the new translations -- after a careful program of catechesis -- can be introduced into some carefully selected parishes and communities throughout the English-speaking world for a period of one (liturgical) year, after which they can be objectively evaluated.
We are convinced that this approach will address the concerns of those many bishops who feel that they have lost their voice in this matter and that it will also give a voice to the People of God whose prayer is at stake and who accordingly have the most to gain or lose by the translations.
We realize that a pilot project of this kind is unprecedented, but so is the process by which these translations have been approved.
What a load - like I said, they didn't seem all that concerned about the "serious division in our communities" when the Traditional Mass was kicked to the curb. And I don't sense any remorse on their part over that. This is just selfish pandering to disaffected progressives, and a fear of losing their sense of control.
The problem with a pilot program, of course, is that it provides opportunities for further confusion and obstruction. It would lead to additional committees and even more focus group studies and endless dialogue. That's what progressives are really good at.
The bishops ought to go full steam ahead with the new translation. Prepare their parishes by all means - perhaps a video homily, or some materials that can be mailed to homes or stuffed in the bulletins, or provide some after-Mass sessions for interested parishoners. Hey - maybe even get materials in the Catholic grade schools and high schools, and teach the students about the new translation! I'm sure the schools have a dictionary or two.
And if there's still massive resistance and hurt feelings over the new translation, then perhaps the solution is to have the Mass said in Latin, as it was intended.
Regardless, the bishops need to find out good and early who the obstructionists are and handle them as they happen. And thankfully, they'll be able to do just that. The WIWJSW site has a petition form, encouraging dissenters to sign their name, along with their position (priest, religious, lay) and their diocese. As of this writing, there were 2,734 signees, a fair portion of whom are priests. So when the list is delivered, all the bishop would have to do is have a "come to Jesus" meeting with his troublesome priests and deacons. That's what I would do.
I recognized a few names from Call-to-Action and The American Catholic Council on the list. No real surprise there. Not only that, I recognized two priests from the AOD, one of whom is the *former* chair of my local vicariate, and the other is the pastor of a neighboring parish. No real surprise there either; however, I am surprised my pastor hasn't signed yet. I'll check back in a few days.
Oh, I signed the petition too, as Spongebob Squarepants, from the Bikini Bottom diocese. It was deleted about five minutes later. Which is rather discriminatory, because the other signees are equally ridiculous, immature and obnoxious, don't you think?
Instant "Acts"ess
