Clergy organization denounces calls for a less accurate Missal translation

Oct 31, 2007 / 08:29 am

The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy voiced its support for a literal and accurate English translation of the 2000 Roman Missal.

In a recent announcement the confraternity denounced a letter that the National Coalition of American Nuns sent to the United States Council of Catholic Bishops.  The letter encouraged rejecting literal accuracy in the upcoming translation of the Missal.

The Missal is the official altar book used by priests to celebrate the Mass.

Defending literal accuracy, the Confraternity called for the liturgy to be celebrated "worthily, with attention and devotion."  This can only be done, the group claimed, through an accurate and literal translation from the typical Latin text.

The group responded to criticism that the laity would not understand more literal translations.  "The congregation is more educated and sophisticated than purported by those who insist accurate and literal translations from the Latin into English would be confusing at best and frustrating at worst."

The confraternity defended the literal translation of the Nicene Creed, especially the words translated as "one in being."  The Nicene Creed in its original languages uses a word whose literal translation is "consubstantial."

The group also endorsed restoring the descriptions of Christ that have a sense of divinity, words such as "holy," "sacred," "venerable," and "immaculate." 

In a vigorous call for an elevated liturgy, the confraternity explained the need for a dignified translation.  "We live in a culture where the vulgar, crass and obscene are part of everyday conversation. It proliferates the media at all levels: radio, television, movies, theater, magazines, and the internet. Yet, good taste and graceful language are not archaic. Sacred worship requires a sacred vocabulary and nomenclature which expresses the value and need for reverence for 'the Holy' and which transcends the secular world and allows the worshipper to approach the threshold of heaven."