The Southern Cross, a national Catholic weekly, has run many letters, blog posts and articles critical of the new translations. The popular line seems to be that they are a betrayal of Vatican II. Bishop Dowling agrees with the 'liturgical anger' and the view that there should not in any case be a standard text.
To me there is no cogent reason why the language which the People of God in any place use to express their faith and spirituality, and to celebrate the Eucharist, the sacraments and so on has to conform to a Latin text. People ask why — and rightly so. I am concerned that this latest decision from the Vatican may be interpreted as another example of what is perceived to be a systematic and well-managed dismantling of the vision, theology and ecclesiology of Vatican II during the past years.I suppose we can expect similar reaction here and in the USA when the translations are brought into use. If a closer fidelity to the actual texts of the Missal brings about protest and anger, it shows that something has gone deeply and badly wrong with the celebration of Mass in the ordinary form.
Equally worrying is the widespread and continuing misinterpretation of Vatican II whereby even the attempt to have an accurate translation of the Roman Missal is seen as a dismantling of its "vision".
It seems that Pope Benedict has been exactly right both to insist on applying a hermeneutic of continuity to that Council, and to pursue a gradual but determined path of liturgical reform.
9 comments:
What will happen is that a group will break off called the SSV2 (Society of the Spirit of Vatican II) and they will say the Mass only using the older ICEL translation and setup SSV2 chapels with clown masses.
This whole South African episode appears very sorry indeed. First, there is a rush to use the translations without proper authorisation. Then, there is a "protest", no doubt rather got up, from hostile forces, that "nobody wanted this".
What is plainly required is a clear explanation that the original translations were lacking and needed reform. The new translations give us a more accurate picture of what is occuring in the Mass, and particularly emphasise the sacred, mysterious, timeless and holy nature of the Eucharistic celebration. Thus, while they will shake a few out of a familiarity zone they should be welcomed with joy. It is this sort of catechesis that will win over the real faithful. If every parish were invited to run a six month course on the liturgy a real teaching moment could be seized.
There is no reason whatsoever that the administrative forces of the dioceses here cannot devote themselves to welcoming this development.
I hope and pray they do.
A priest, Father Cleu, is on the side of the current, pathetic translations. I left him a message and concluded that Sunday Mass should be a foretaste of Heaven not a trip to Walmart. I'm not holding my breath that the Southern Cross will publish my response to this priest. Tom
What is even more troubling is that a bishop himself seems to be ignorant of what Vatican II was about and is still spouting off nonsense like this. How sad.
God bless our Pope!
Bishop Dowling is absolutely correct to fear the accurate translation of the Latin. He understands that it does indeed go against the "the vision, theology and ecclesiology of Vatican II" which is not the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church, or the true intent of the Council Fathers as set down in the actual documents of Vatican II.
He is canny enough to see that the day of the "Spirit of Vatican II" has passed, soon to be put down by the Holy Spirit.
Ineffable! ;-)
This outburst from the Bishop defies satire.
I called it "Liturgical Road Rage", only with less of an insurance problem.
"What is even more troubling is that a bishop himself seems to be ignorant of what Vatican II was about and is still spouting off nonsense like this. How sad."
I think you may have missed the point here, Terry. Bishop Drainey would appear to me, along with other members of the E&W heirarchy, to wish to enter into a discussion with the TLM academia.
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