Cardinal Arinze tells bishops to change translation of "pro multis"

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Vatican City, Nov 20, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Cardinal Francis Arinze, the Vatican’s Prefect of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, reportedly sent a letter to Church prelates worldwide, instructing them to adjust the translation of a phrase in the middle of the Catholic Mass’s words of consecration. The translation of the expression “pro multis” is to be changed to read “for many” rather than “for all,” as it currently appears.

In the next few years, the cardinals letter says, the bishops should make adjustments so that when the priest celebrates the Mass in English he will say over the chalice, “…It will be shed for you and for many so that sins may be forgiven…” rather than, “…for you and for all…”

The change of one word may seem inconsequential for many Catholics, but “pro multis” has been the subject of heated debate among linguists and an especially contentious issue for traditionalists since the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

The gravity of the issue is magnified due to its place in the liturgy. The proper pronouncement of the words of consecration is believed by Catholics to be paramount to the valid changing (transubstantiation) of bread and wine into the true Body and Blood of Christ.

Many schismatic Catholics have even argued that the Mass promulgated by Vatican II, when celebrated in English or many other translations, is invalid due to its improper translation Christ’s words.

Cardinal Arinze’s letter says that, as supported by previous declarations from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “there is no doubt whatsoever regarding the validity of Masses celebrated with the use of a duly approved formula containing a formula equivalent to ‘for all.’”

“Indeed,” the cardinal continued, “the formula ‘for all’ would undoubtedly correspond to a correct interpretation of the Lord’s intention expressed in the text. It is a dogma of faith that Christ died on the Cross for all men and women (cf. John 11:52; 2 Corinthians 5,14-15; Titus 2,11; 1 John 2,2).”

Nonetheless, while “for all” is, “an explanation of the sort that belongs properly to catechesis,” Arinze said, “’for many’ is a faithful translation of ‘pro multis.’”

The cardinal therefore instructed the Bishops’ Conferences, “of those countries where the formula ‘for all’ or its equivalent is currently in use,” to, “undertake the necessary catechesis of the faithful on this matter in the next one or two years to prepare them for the introduction of a precise vernacular translation of the formula ‘pro multis’ (e.g, “for many”, “per molti”, etc.) in the next translation of the Roman Missal that the Bishops and the Holy See will approve for use in their country.”

Arinze gave as reasons for change the Gospels’ specific reference to “many” rather than “all,” the consistent Latin use of the phrase “pro multis” and never “pro omnibus,” the consistent use of translations equivalent to “pro multis” in the various Oriental Rites, and the document “Liturgiam authenticam’s” insistence that “efforts should be made to be more faithful to the Latin texts in the typical editions.”

The Vatican’s Sacraments chief also noted that, “the expression ‘for many,’ while remaining open to the inclusion of each human person, is reflective also of the fact that this salvation is not brought about in some mechanistic way, without one’s willing or participation; rather, the believer is invited to accept in faith the gift that is being offered and to receive the supernatural life that is given to those who participate in this mystery, living it out in their lives as well so as to be numbered among the ‘many’ to whom the text refers.”

You can find a copy of the cardinal's letter here at Domenico Bettinelli's site.

Comments: 11

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Francisco
Portugal 07/07/2008 09:44 AM EST

It is truth or not that our Lord Jesus Crist died for all the men, of all times and places?
The their blood was given for all?

Published by: Roberto Alvarez
Miami, FL 12/19/2006 03:35 PM EST

I apologize to Gloria on behalf of those whose comments show such lack of Christian charity and knowledge of the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church was not founded by Vatican II but by Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles 2000 years earlier. The first pope was St Peter not John XXIII.
The Novus Ordo Missae created by Paul VI and several protestant ministers was inspired by the spirit of false ecumenism of the 60's and 70's. Since the final product had to be all-inclusive and could not offend the protestants, many things were changed or eliminated, including the very words of the consecration or reference to Our Lady, the Mother of God.
By definition and Canon Law, changing the formula renders the Sacrament invalid. That is exactly what Paul VI and his new mass did, regarless what cardinal Arinze tries to justify. Trying to repair a damage done almost 40 years ago, is a commendable act by pope Benedict XVI. Obviously God has placed him in St Peter's chair to restore the Faith and stop the abuses, errors and improvisations which have plagued the Church in the last decades.
Long Live Christ the King!!!
In reparation for blasphemy (ours and our neighbor's), we should all say the Devine Praises.
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, True God and True Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be his Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be his Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar...
(7 more praises)

Published by: Bob Bobic
Knoxville, TN, USA 12/07/2006 04:30 PM EST

Roma locuta est, causa finita.
"Pro multis" means "for (the) many."
Pope Benedict the Great is a liturgist, not a linguist. And he continues to repair the damage of the "spirit of Vatican II".

Published by: ghiddleson
washington dc 11/28/2006 12:17 AM EST

First of all the Roman Catholic Church (Which is to say the Pope and the faithful united to him)is indefectible;can not fail in faith-this has always been believed and taught. On 25,Jan,1974 the SCDF in "INSTAURATIO LITURGIA" Declaration on the meaning of Translation of Sacramental formulae stated:
...,it approves and confirms it, stipulating, however, that it must be understood in accordance with the mind of the Church as expressed in the original Latin text.

Published by: Henry
Virginia 11/24/2006 01:40 PM EST

Here we go again. Pray for Reformation II and an end to this medieval foolishness.

Published by: Lance Patrick Mashburn
Columbus, GA USA 11/24/2006 08:22 AM EST

This issue among others seems to prove that the move away from Latin to the vulgar languages for celebrating the liturgy did indeed cause confusion and fostered dissent. The same thing goes for the music now used. For those of the 60's and 70's mentality, it's over guys. Move aside for the restoration of the True Faith. Pray for HIs Holiness to fully implement Vatcian II as it was intended and flush out the heretical personal interpretations that flourished afterwards.

Published by: Fr. Julius Kayiwa
U.S.A 11/21/2006 06:22 PM EST

In regard to "Omnibus" and "Multis", is it the language that is the criterion for the truth or the Spirit of Christ? The Spirit of Christ is all embracing! It is only on the Spirit of Christ that we shall have to confess our faith as catholics and reach out as all embracing! "All" or "many" or "only a few" accepting this spirit or not, is another thing that could be delt with by not necessarily changing the word, "omnibus" to opt for "multis".

May God bless!
Fr. Julius Kayiwa

Published by: Michael Garner
Tennesee, USA 11/21/2006 05:33 PM EST

Obviously Gloria doesn't understand the authority of the Pope. It would be ludicrous to think that the Pope could approve a rite for the Church that is invalid. The Pope approved the English translation of the words of consecration. To say that Christ didn't die for all is heresy. And to say that the Church, who is the custodian of the Sacraments could approve a rite that is invalid is ridiculous. This type of schismatical rant that asserts that they know better than the Church that Christ founded and trusted the Holy Sacraments to is deplorable and sinful. I pledge my fidelity to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and to his representative, Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz, Bishop of Knoxville.

Published by: HMacK
brunei 11/20/2006 07:02 PM EST

A good Latin scholar knows that "for all" would be "pro omnibus". This mistranslation was deliberate and "many" of us know this.
Now, it is time for The Church to listen to what is being said about the lamentable liturgy that is the Pauline rite. The effects of this on The Church are disastrous. No one can seriously deny it. The evidence is there for "all" to see. The music that goes with it is mostly lamentable too and often unworthy of The Roman Catholic Church.

The Holy Father needs our prayers and support in this.

Published by: Matthew
Columbus, OH 11/20/2006 05:04 PM EST

Thanks, Pope Gloria. We look forward to more ex cathedra pronouncements from your teaching authority.

Published by: Gloria Thomas
Lexington, Ky. 11/20/2006 02:48 PM EST

Appearing in the front of every Romas Altar MIssal from 1570 to 1958, spanning the Pontificates of 36 Popes, under the title "De Defectibus" is this instruction. "The words of Consecration, which are the Form of this Sacrament, are these: FOR THIS IS MY BODY, and "FOR THIS IS THE CHALIS OF MY BLOOD, OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT: THE MYSTERY OF FAIATH, WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY UNTO THE REMISSION OF SINS." Now if one were to remove, or change anything in the Form of the consecration of the Body and Blood, and in that very change of words the new wording would fail to mean the same thing, he would not consecrate the Sacrament."
Certainly "omnibus" and "multis" have different meanings. It is a truth of our faith that Christ died for all, but the effect of His death and resurrection is received by many, certainly not all. Now a sacrament signifies the thing it effects, and effects the thing it signifies. There is therefore a real probability that either 36 Popes were wrong, or these masses have been invalid.

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