Friends and Readers of WDTPRS:

Last fall, the Vatican appointed Vox Clara Committee - the Holy See’s liaison and watchdog for the episcopal conferences and their tool ICEL - met in Rome to review the draft of the new English translation from Latin of the ordinary texts for Holy Mass.   Vox Clara made key decisions about burning issues inherent the new translation in preparation.  The decisions they made will be considered by ICEL and various episcopal conferences through their respective liturgical committees, who will then send their own adjustments back to Rome… again.   Will they stick to what Vox Clara decided or try to scuttle their work?  Will they adhere to the norms for translations in Liturgiam authenticam? 

Liturgical translations have doctrinal importance.  There is a reciprocal relationship between how we pray and what we believe.  Therefore, liturgical translations must be judged not only by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS), but also by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).  The Roman Pontiff is the final judge of all translations of sacramental forms, such as the consecration of the Eucharist, but the CDWDS and the CDF are the key dicasteries giving recommendations for the Pope’s decisions.   If they are firm on the most important issues, they will tip the balance in the right direction, even if great pressure is coming from interest groups lobbying for a less than accurate version.  ICEL and the episcopal conferences will send their text, but the CDWDS and the CDF review everything and must give approval.  Be clear about this: highly placed individuals in the Curia and liturgical experts from other language groups whose translations are now in review will want to have a say in the way the English translation handles thorny issues in the original Latin (such as the infamous “pro multis… for all” problem).  The English translation is the most important of all the translations.  It will affect all other language translations.  The new draft has enemies.  The WDTPRS articles have documented how some of them think you are not smart enough to handle accurate translations or that by enunciating Catholic doctrine clearly we might offend non-Catholics.  The lame duck ICEL version now in use has affected Catholics around the world for three hard decades.  The new translation will affect the content of Mass for Catholics around the world for generations.  We cannot be indifferent or inactive in the face of this momentous fact. 

It takes just moments to write a kind letter of encouragement to the heads of the CDF where there is a new Prefect Archbishop William Levada, and the CDWDS.  These key Prefects, burdened with many cares, need to hear your hopes right now: they and their staffs are studying the English draft.   If they stand fast in the face of pressure, they will make the difference.  Give them your support.  Air mail postage for a regular envelope from the USA is only 80 cents.  Don’t think you can leave this to someone else to do.  Your letter matters.  Here are addresses and a possible model for your letter.  You should try to write in your own words.  Be kind and very brief (one side of one sheet).  Type or write legibly so they can read it easily.  Sign it.  Include your address: they often write back, busy as they are!  Address your separate letters respectively to both:

His Eminence
Francis Card. Arinze
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship
            and Discipline of the Sacraments
00120 Vatican City

and also

His Excellency
Most Rev. William Levada
Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
00120 Vatican City

His Holiness
Pope Benedict XVI
Apostolic Palace
00120 Vatican City

SAMPLE LETTER

Your Eminence (Your Holiness),

I know that the draft of a new English translation of Holy Mass is under consideration.  You must have many difficult decisions to make. 

I want to express my fervent hope that the new translation will be beautiful and will accurately hold fast to the Latin original.  In the difficult years ahead, we will need to hear and be nourished by what the prayers really say.  Anything less than beauty and fidelity in the translation will be so very hard to bear, once again.    Please, Your Eminence (Your Holiness), ensure that we hear a correct translation of pro multis and many other important texts.  Our identity as Catholics, trying to be faithful and influential in an ever more secular world, in a ‘culture of death’, depends on our Holy Mass.

My loved ones and I, with future generations around the world, will be shaped by your good work.  May God bless you in your heavy mandate in the service of our Church.  I will remember you in my prayers during this Year of the Eucharist both during Holy Mass and my daily Rosary.

Sincerely yours in Christ.