The Catholic Church plans to go ahead with
plans to introduce a new missal (the text used for Mass) despite
protests from the Association of Catholic Priests and the fact that
Irish priests seems to think their parishioners too stupid to understand
the new text.
The Association feels that the new text is sexist and cumbersome. The text currently used in Ireland dates back to 1975.
A Daily Telegraph blogger David Thompson believes
that the associations "whinge" implies that "their parishioners aren't
bright enough to grasp the new texts" which are more loyal to the
original Latin texts.
Thompson asked whether the priests of Ireland are in any position to
"lecture the Church on standards of are miserably low in Ireland".
In
the Association's statement they said "While the bishops listened to
our concerns, we regret to say that, judging by their response,they
failed to take on board what we said.”
The association said that the new texts would have "serious repercussions for parishes”.
Their statement also said that the new texts might be unfair to the female followers of the Church.
It said
"We
fear that the continued use of sexist language with its use of man, men
and brothers as generic terms will alienate some women and men."
The new texts will come into effect in November on the first Sunday of Advent.