The liturgy for the dedication of a church in both the Liturgy of the Hours and the Mass must surely be one of the glories of the reformed Roman rite. It is not often that the Church at large is exposed to it as we were last Sunday. The Preface at this Mass is a hymn of praise whose sublime doctrine should uplift all who proclaim or hear it proclaimed. What a lamentable shame it was, therefore, that the English-speaking Church, instead of being drawn into a vision of the Church’s innermost life, was subjected to what I can only describe as impenetrable gobbledygook.
What is going on? What are we allowing to happen? Can any priest say, with hand on heart, his congregation was well served by this grotesque use of the English language? Surely the time has come to say of this burden that has been laid upon us all, “Enough is enough”. The currently approved English translation of the Roman Missal has been in use quite long enough for us to say without prejudice that it has been weighed in the balance and has been found wanting.
We look to the bishops of the English-speaking world to act in this matter with that outspoken leadership which Pope Francis seems to be asking of the worldwide episcopate.
Fr Ambrose Walsh, Cardiff
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