Tuesday, March 17, 2009

More Faithful Translation of Novus Ordo: A "systematic and well-managed dismantling of the vision, theology and ecclesiology of Vatican II"?

It's hard not to scratch one's head over comments such as "Critics say the new, more literal word-for-word translation [of the Novus Ordo] is part of an attempt to roll back the progress made decades ago" and over concerns that the more faithful translations might "alienate" persons from the Church. One priest finds it troubling that the Pope isn't listing to "critics" and is concerned that the Pope may suffer "another major embarrassment" by correcting Mass mistranslations. Things are surely backwards when making a translation more accurate could be construed as a major embarrassment that might alienate persons from the Church. Should not these persons rather have been alienated when the less accurate translations were "forced on the people in the pews" (as the above mentioned priest refers to the introduction of these more accurate translations)? Further, should the Pope be more concerned about "critics" or faithful sons and daughters of the Church who are entitled to accurate and orthodox translations of the Missal? Was St. Paul nervous about what his critics might think? Was Jesus? [3/17]