Why do I simplify this? Because the outrageous English “translation” of the Latin Novus Ordo, which had infected parishes in English speaking countries ever since Father Frederick McManus and crew of the ICEL (International Commission on English in the Liturgy) contradicted the Word of God in the Gospels in its translation of the Latin Mass of Paul VI in the late 1960s, was finally corrected by Rome under Benedict XVI. Apparently, according to this skewed survey (read about it below), a number of liberal pastors who were upset enough about the translation to enter a response to the Georgetown University sponsored survey did not like the literalness of the translation on many scores. One bishop, in fact, objected to the virtue (so repeatedly emphasized in scripture) “the fear of the Lord.” Yes that is right. Bishop Hubbard of Albany, NY, prefers, “In wonder and awe,” to “fear.” For him, the first of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (pronounced by God through Isaias the prophet (11:2) should be “the spirit of wonder and awe.”
Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture: What do you call a survey in which questions are sent out to 6,000 people, and 539 of them reply?
Frankly, I’d call it junk. Maybe that’s a bit harsh, but I definitely would not call it a “landmark national study.”
This week some news outlets are reporting that a nationwide study shows most American Catholic priests dislike the new English translation of the Mass. Not surprisingly, this story is being highlighted by outlets that never liked the new translation in the first place. But that’s not a valid reason for ignoring the survey results, if they are noteworthy. The trouble is, they’re not. More here.
