Missal Defense
The Vatican Issues Rules on Liturgical Translations
by Helen Hull Hitchcock
In a remarkably forceful and far-reaching document, the Holy See issued an “Instruction” presenting the principles to be followed in translation of the Liturgy of the Catholic Church into vernacular languages. The 35-page instruction, titled Liturgiam Authenticam (Authentic Liturgy), was made public on May 7, although Pope John Paul II had already ordered that it come into effect on April 25, 2001.
Liturgiam Authenticam is only the fifth Instruction on the implementation of the Second Vatican Council’s liturgical reform in the nearly 40 years since the council. In process for about three years, Liturgiam Authenticam appeared in time to provide translation norms for the new, third “typical edition” of the Roman Missal, the Latin version of which was expected to be released this summer. It also arrived near the end of a massive project of re-translation and revision of the major liturgical books used by the Catholic Church in English-speaking countries that began more than 10 years ago.
Among the key points of the document is the clearest and most comprehensive rejection to date of “inclusive language” devices in translation. Prime stress is placed on accurate rendering of the original texts, especially of the sacral character of their language.
Liturgiam Authenticam continues and “crystallizes” the policies of John Paul II’s papacy, which has consistently rejected linguistically flawed and politically tendentious translations of Holy Scripture and of doctrinally key works. The Holy See’s refusal of the “inclusive language” version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1993, and its subsequent revision and correction of the English translation, has been matched by its steadfast opposition to “politically correct” translations of the Lectionary and the Mass.
In light of this authoritative new document that “seeks to prepare for a new era of liturgical renewal,” further amendment of revised books already submitted to the Holy See and still awaiting approval will apparently be required. The Instruction calls for correcting existing vernacular translations; its five chapters cover:
1. Choice of vernacular languages for liturgical use;
2. Principles of translation (including norms for Scripture translations for Lectionaries and sung texts);
3. Procedures for preparing translations and establishing commissions (e.g., “mixed” commissions, like the International Commission on English in the Liturgy [ICEL], which produced most English-language liturgical texts now in use);
4. Detailed publication procedures; and
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