London, England, May 19, 2011 / 10:18 am
England’s bishops say the upcoming new English translation of the Mass is not “change for change’s sake,” but will “ensure greater fidelity to the liturgical tradition of the Church.”
In a letter to be read in all parishes May 29, the bishops say the current translation of the Mass does not express the full meaning of the original Latin and loses some of the “teaching of the faith,” meant to be communicated in the liturgy.
“In the earlier translation not all the meaning of the original Latin text was fully expressed and a number of the terms that were used to convey the teachings of the faith were lost,” the Bishops of England and Wales say in the letter, which was obtained by CNA.
The bishops note that the language is important for passing on the true teachings of the faith because “the way we pray forms the way we believe.”