Priests and Mass-goers have been urged not to use parts of the new prayer book that uses 'sexist' language.
The
new Roman missal, produced by the International Commission on English
in the Liturgy, is to be introduced in all Catholic churches by November
27.
However, the recently-formed Association of Catholic Priests
(ACP) has criticised the new text, claiming it is archaic, elitist and
obscure.
The association has said "many women will be rightly enraged by the continued deliberate use of non-inclusive language".
Battle lines between dissident clergy and the Irish Bishops Conference, which supports the changes ordered by Rome, intensified last night after a private meeting in Portlaoise of the ACP.
Protesters
A small group of protesters who disagree with the ACP's views, picketed outside the venue while the meeting was taking place.
The
ACP unanimously accepted a motion recommending that "priests and people
avoid using the sexist language that pervades the new missal".
ACP
member Fr Tony Flannery said priests were "baffled that while generous
provision has been made for the Latin Mass, no provision is being made
to accommodate the far greater number of people who will have difficulty
for different reasons with the new missal".
Fr Flannery said such exemptions were possible under Vatican guidelines.