Commission closure ‘lost opportunity’

THE disbanding of a group set up to select a new Bible translation for use during Mass in the English-speaking Church was described this week as an “opportunity lost”, writes Liz Dodd.

The International Commission for the Preparation of an English Language Lectionary sought to replace the Jerusalem Bible lectionary with one based on the English Standard Version (ESV).

But it is understood to have failed because the Holy See, copyright holders and bishops’ conferences disagreed on the texts, and it disbanded this year.

Hugh Somerville-Knapman OSB, a monk of Douai Abbey, suggested the Holy See had “pragmatically washed its hands of the project” and localised initiatives were pursued in the wake of criticism of the revised English Missal.

“This is a pity as the Jerusalem Bible makes some shocking theological and exegetical decisions, and is far too banal for liturgical proclamation,” he said. “The ESV project would have been a bold ecumenical venture. This is another opportunity lost.”

The Liturgy Office was not available for comment.