Proposed by Rev. Louis Arceneaux, C.M.
Pope Francis issued a motu proprio “Magnum Principium”, September, 2017, that modified canon 838,3 of the Code of Canon Law in this way . “It pertains to the Episcopal Conferences to faithfully prepare versions of the liturgical books in vernacular languages, suitably accommodated within defined limits, and to approve and publish the liturgical books for the regions for which they are responsible after the confirmation of the Apostolic See.” The Congregation of Worship further described how this takes place. The purpose of this motu proprio was to clarify the role of Episcopal conferences in relation to the Roman Congregation of Worship regarding their authority over liturgical translations.
With the selection of Pope Leo XIV, who is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and other languages, the Association of U. S. Catholic Priests proposes that the USCCB present to the appropriate Vatican commission the revision of the Roman Missal that was prepared and approved by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy in 1998. Unfortunately, that translation was rejected by a Roman commission and they gave us the present translation that is inferior for American English speaking gatherings in many ways.
We think there are many weaknesses in our present translation. Here are a few of them. The weakness of our present translation is that ordinary Americans need to hear presiders say in the words of institution that Jesus’ blood “which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin.” People who know theology are able to understand that “many” there refers to all but ordinary people do not. Besides being an inferior translation, what ordinary people hear is actual heretical teaching because Jesus poured out his blood for everyone. This is one example of the inferior quality of the present translation.
Another example of poor translation is the use of the word “prevenient” in speaking of Blessed Virgin Mary. We pray “grant that, as we profess her, on account of your prevenient grace, to be untouched by any stain of sin…” Other examples are the frequent use of the word, “oblation” which is not commonly used by most Americans in the United States.
We have been using the present translation for the past fifteen plus years. We think this is long enough to show how inferior a translation it is. The synod on synodality even revealed that people want the liturgies of the Church in languages that are easily understood by the ordinary people.
Therefore, the Association of U. S. Catholic Priests recommends that the USCCB propose the 1998 translation for use in the USA in all English Masses, modified as necessary for further clarification and recent changes in the celebration of the Mass. We are confident that Pope Leo XIV surely will appreciate our desire to have a translation that is truly fitting for all English speaking persons in the USA.