Paul KeenanA majority of Catholic priests and religious polled in the United States believe that the new English translation of the Mass “urgently needs to be revised”.
Priests in 539 parishes nationwide responded to a survey undertaken by the Centre for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University on the Mass translation which came into effect in 2011. A clear majority, 75%, expressed their dissatisfaction with the document, criticising the text as “awkward and distracting”. On the issue of a need to revise the text, 50% agreed, while 33% indicated on the poll they “strongly agree” with that need. On future translations of other liturgical texts, 59% agreed that no further initiatives should be undertaken in light of the missal translation. (The US bishops have approved new texts for the rites of confirmation and marriage) Just 23% of the polled religious believed that their views on the Mass translation would be taken into account.
CARA sent its survey to 6,000 parishes before receiving the 539 responses. Of the 539 responding, 444 were members of the clergy (421 diocesan or religious priests, 13 deacons) and 75 were lay leaders (57 women religious or other laywomen, 18 religious brothers or other laymen).