Association of US Catholic Priests

I returned from my day off to find a fax from the Association of US Catholic Priests. Their purpose is to bring priest together to “exercise their collegial powers and responsibilities.” On of their main objectives is to speak out against the new and corrected translation of the Roman Missal. On this three page fax, there is a quote from a a letter to the editor of America Magazine in which the Msgr.  states that the new translation “cannot be discussed without appearing disloyal or suspect.” He states the the new translation will be a hinderance to the “new evangelization.”

Somehow the new translation was implemented without their input and approval. And, “rather than belonging to a fraternity, many priests within their diocese fell they are employees of a multi-national conglomerate.” The ACP put together a resolution that was mailed to the president of the USCCB. In it they state their right to form an association and go on to complain how the new Roman Missal “has caused disharmony, disruption and discord among many” laity and clergy alike. And, that the new translation hinders active participation of the faithful. They want to the USCCB to tell “Vatican authorities, the problematic prescriptions of Liturgiam Authenticam.”

This group sounds like a bunch of whiners. I wonder how much time and energy they put into preparing their parishes for the implementation of the new translation. Of course everything isn’t perfect with the new missal, but is there ever a perfect translation? I would dare to say the form miss-translation was much further from the mark. If the new translation is “arcaic”, the former translation was “childish”.

It’s time to drop the fight and move on! And while your at it, take me off your mailing list!