From: Tom Drake, Johannesburg
The controversy regarding the new Mass translation has been going on for ages, with the not-unexpected lack of response from Rome.
There is division among the members of our parishes. Personally, I am averse to the changes that are being introduced, but do they really affect me, or anyone else, so badly? Are they a real obstacle to prayer? Does God hear supplications in one form only, rejecting others? I don’t think so. I am sure he hears my prayers as long as I say them with reverence and faith, no matter what form they take. Did Jesus not say that God knows our needs even before we have the chance to articulate them?
I really don’t mind which form is used at Mass as long as those people responsible for leading us—our shepherds, our parish priests—make up their minds one way or another.
The priest at one of the parishes where I attend Mass is openly averse to the use of the new translation—he has said so several times from the pulpit. But he has gone on to tell the congregation that they should decide for themselves which responses they wish to use. As a result there is a diminished response at the most well-attended weekend Mass, most people still using the older form and some trying to use the newer, and quite a few remaining silent, not quite knowing what to do.
At the earlier Mass in the same church there is much greater participation in the new form, but the continued use by many of the old form is causing confusion. I am told that the faithful at weekday Mass, a far smaller group, use the new form completely. All this in the same parish!
Direction is needed. Should the parish priest feel that he does not wish to make the decision, then perhaps he should refer the matter to his parish council. I don’t know whether the diocesan authorities may be defied—I don’t think so.
But, one way or the other, firm action is required. Apart from their parish council, the faithful have no forum, and I doubt that they will do anything except murmur and perhaps lose a little more of the faith that they have, not to mention their respect for their Church.
In the meanwhile we are bumbling along—the dignity of the Mass is being jeopardised due to the lack of leadership by those who should be our shepherds.
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