The new translation of the Roman Missal was introduced in our parishes at the beginning of Advent in 2011 and so we have now experienced the full three year cycle of what it has to offer.
– Three years during which the lay faithful have struggled to make sense of the collect, prayer over the offerings and prayer after Communion as they are read by the priest.
– Three years during which our church buildings have been scattered with ‘temporary’ Mass cards used as aids by the congregation.
– Three years during which we were unable to use the excellent common texts agreed by the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC). Visit www.englishtexts.org – ICEL was one of the original convenors of ELLC, and was a full member until 2001, when it had to withdraw following the publication of Liturgiam Authenticam which proscribed its involvement in ecumenical bodies.
This situation may be acceptable if there is no alternative. But there is an alternative, and surely at this stage the "success" and appropriateness of the new Missal translation should be reviewed. The alternative I refer to is of course the 1998 translation, which was approved by all 11 of the English speaking bishops’ conferences, before being rejected by Rome. This is an excellent translation, although some revising and updating may be necessary, and would provide a ‘breath of fresh air’ and an atmosphere of renewal to both clergy and laity alike.
Nicola Lawrence, Renfrew
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