THOUSANDS of Catholics could be driven away from
attending Mass on a regular basis if Irish bishops press ahead with the
introduction of a new English translation of the liturgy, priests have
warned.
The representative body of ordinary members of the
clergy — the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP)— Thursday called for
a deferral of the new translation of the Missal which is planned to be
used for the first time on November 27.
The ACP described the new translation as "archaic, elitist and obscure".
It criticised the Irish hierarchy for the lack of consultation with priests and lay followers on the text since it was first planned almost a decade ago.
"It is clear that the style of English used throughout the Mass will be so convoluted that it will be difficult to read the prayers in public," said ACP spokesman, Fr PJ Madden.
The ACP claimed the literal translation from the original Latin, would lead to "chaos and confusion".
Monsignor Dermot Lane, president of the Mater Dei Institute of Education, said the new liturgy represented "a betrayal of the tradition".
Msgr Lane said its introduction should be an opportunity to inspire and encourage people to celebrate in the Eucharist. However, he believed the new translation, which replaces the version used for the past 35 years, would distort the Catholic faith.
"This new translation perpetuates an exclusivist, sexist language," said Msgr Lane. "It is utterly inexcusable."
Fr Gerry Alwill, parish priest of Drumkeeran, Co Leitrim, said the new version would be "a total disaster" and some of his parishioners had already branded examples of the text as old-fashioned and out of touch.
He expressed fear that it would turn many people, especially young Catholics, away from attending Mass at a critical time for the Church in Ireland.
The ACP said that German bishops had objected to a German translation of the liturgy and said their Irish counterparts should assert their right to make their own decisions on the text.
Last night, a spokesperson for the Irish bishops said the new Missal would be "fully and sensitively explained" to priests and parishioners over the coming months.
However, he acknowledged that the text would not be subject to a review.
The ACP described the new translation as "archaic, elitist and obscure".
It criticised the Irish hierarchy for the lack of consultation with priests and lay followers on the text since it was first planned almost a decade ago.
"It is clear that the style of English used throughout the Mass will be so convoluted that it will be difficult to read the prayers in public," said ACP spokesman, Fr PJ Madden.
The ACP claimed the literal translation from the original Latin, would lead to "chaos and confusion".
Monsignor Dermot Lane, president of the Mater Dei Institute of Education, said the new liturgy represented "a betrayal of the tradition".
Msgr Lane said its introduction should be an opportunity to inspire and encourage people to celebrate in the Eucharist. However, he believed the new translation, which replaces the version used for the past 35 years, would distort the Catholic faith.
"This new translation perpetuates an exclusivist, sexist language," said Msgr Lane. "It is utterly inexcusable."
Fr Gerry Alwill, parish priest of Drumkeeran, Co Leitrim, said the new version would be "a total disaster" and some of his parishioners had already branded examples of the text as old-fashioned and out of touch.
He expressed fear that it would turn many people, especially young Catholics, away from attending Mass at a critical time for the Church in Ireland.
The ACP said that German bishops had objected to a German translation of the liturgy and said their Irish counterparts should assert their right to make their own decisions on the text.
Last night, a spokesperson for the Irish bishops said the new Missal would be "fully and sensitively explained" to priests and parishioners over the coming months.
However, he acknowledged that the text would not be subject to a review.