Why did we need the new Mass translations?

by Michael Shackleton · January 22, 2013

Why was it necessary for the English version of the Mass to be given to us in a new translation? Did the authorities not understand that ordinary Catholics now have to replace their familiar missals with new ones that are practically unaffordable, particularly for pensioners? Will the local dioceses subsidise the poorer members of the flock to enable them to buy the new missals? �- Various readers

“The English text was seen as diverging from the sense and meaning of the original.”

These questions form a summary of three basic queries brought by readers to the Open Door over the last couple of months.

Firstly, Vatican liturgists were not happy with the original English translation made by the International Commission for English in the Liturgy in 1973. This is the one in use until the reform of 2010. They criticised it as being an inexact translation of the original Latin text. It is said that it was Pope John Paul II who encouraged the change to a revised translation.

In March 2001, the Congregation for Divine Worship issued an instruction Liturgiam Authenticam (Authentic Liturgy) that made it clear that it wanted the original Latin text of the Roman Rite to be translated accurately into the vernacular language without paraphrases or glosses. The English text was seen as diverging from the sense and meaning of the original.

When the new translation became current throughout the English-speaking world, it received a very mixed reception and even now it has not found favour among those who resent its too literal and �wooden� language. Yet it has been broadly accepted and is now in general use.

Secondly, Vatican liturgists probably gave no thought to the cost to the individual parishioner of buying a new set of missals which is indeed not cheap. Their attitude seemingly was that, since the liturgical prayers are in the home language which all can understand, why need a book? This overlooks the views of those who prefer to have a missal in order to anticipate the liturgy of the day and prepare for it spiritually.

Thirdly, I have not heard of any diocese offering to subsidise the purchase of missals for the needy, though the Southern African Bishops� Conference produced very affordable abbreviated material at the time the new translations took effect.

However, enterprising bishops and priests may be prompted to do a little research to see who would earnestly want the new missal but cannot pay for it. Perhaps some parish society or other benefactor could collect or make donations for the purpose. There are always ways and means to help those in real need.