Since the launch of The Soapbox almost 12 months ago, one of the most often visited topics is the new English translation of the Mass, which will become the official text for most of the English-speaking world this coming weekend, if it wasn’t already. I’ve consistently espoused my support for the translation, responding to some of the common criticisms of it.
I’ve now stumbled across an interesting aspect of this debate. My flatmate is a lapsed Catholic — apparently the largest religious grouping in Australia — who often heads along to Mass when she visits her parents. In that respect, she’s probably like thousands of other young adults in the West.
Recently, she made one of these rare excursions into a Catholic church. When she returned, she wanted to know why they had changed all the words. The changes to the Creed, in particular, had her perplexed. She said she’d never be going back to church again now that they’ve moved even further into the past.
Now this wasn’t a reaction I’d expected. I’d come to expect the regular Massgoers to be the ones kicking up the biggest fuss. Well, I suppose that’s still true, but my flatmate’s reaction was nonetheless surprising to me.
As we count down to the official introduction of the new translation, there are naturally going to be a lot of stories. One such column that caught my eye was from someone who has been opposed to the changes. She did point to one great advantage, though. Rather than simply parroting responses during Mass, the new text made her stop and think about what she was saying and what she believes. And, with the right catechesis around the new translation, it can be a very valuable teaching opportunity.
So, the moral of the story is to expect the unexpected when it comes to the new translation.
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I wonder what it was that causes your friend to lapse in her faith.Maybe it was the modernist practices that were not appealing (just a thought)Your friend should realise that going into the past is not a bad thing.We have practised the faith in the same way for many years,hundreds in fact. The new post vatican 2 way of doing things has opened the door for so many abuses.The Holy Father, by going to a more literal translation of the liturgy from the latin, is trying to rectify and remove some of the abuses,something which we should commend him for .I do think that your friend is making excuses not to go to church.
Eugene, welcome along. Thanks for hopping onto the Soapbox with me
I think that is often the case — people finding reasons (or excuses) not to go to church. I’m not saying it’s necessarily the case in my friend’s situation, but I think many, maybe most, lapsed Catholics have left the Church because they have found something in its teaching that they simply can’t reconcile with the way they live or the way they see the world. Things like the abuse crisis do the Church no favours, obviously, driving a larger wedge into the lives of people who were already lukewarm. It’s something we as a Church have to deal with and accept. Having said that, we mustn’t go down the path of many streams of Anglicanism and other Christian denominations that have basically abandoned the longstanding teachings of Christianity in an attempt to be more “inclusive”.
Hope to hear more of your thoughtful musings in future.
Unfortunately,we live in a time when we worship ourselves.Its always about me.I feel this or that,or, I don’t agree with this,that or the other. The Catholic church,as is God’ s Kingdom, is not a democracy and we are called to obey. So,if you are called to self – worship as opposed to God- worship,you will find any excuse not to return to church,including the abuse scandals.The scandals have not changed the teachings of the church or the Bible. It kinda reminds me of the old excuse that there are too many “hypocrites” in church. Well,I say, there is always room for one more.
Just as the scandals provide an opportunity to purge the church of clergy who by their self – worship,try to destroy the church,fallen away Catholics (who often have nothing good to say) also
allow those who willingly honour God in His house,to strengthen the church.This is not to say that the lapsed are not welcome,because they certainly are,but always on the God’s terms,not theirs.