U.S. bishops disagree over changes in liturgy

WASHINGTON -- At a meeting where the sexual abuse scandal was not on their public agenda, the U.S. Catholic bishops repeatedly raised the topic in matters ranging from their budget to an acrimonious discussion about proposed changes to the English liturgy.

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago noted that a long-standing division between bishops who prefer standard American English and those who want a literal rending of Latin has become more complex. Some bishops on both sides have realized that the current English text is more familiar and meaningful to many Catholics than the centuries-old Latin text once was, he said.

"There are those who have been quite critical of the present translation, but who are now saying that we don't want to disturb the people, especially in the situation of weakened episcopal authority we have now," he said, referring to distrust of bishops who failed to remove child molesters from the priesthood.

Can any of these men do what the Vatican has instructed them to do? I'm certain there are, but they seem to be so few in number.

Some bishops, including Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, chairman of the bishops' Committee on Liturgy, believe the changes are clunky and obscure.

Well, is anyone surprised by this? Not with Bishop Trautman at the helm of the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy.

Anyway, some proposed great changes:
In the Nicene Creed, "one in being with the Father" would be replaced with "consubstantial with the Father."

The prayer "Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed" would be changed to the proper text of "Lord I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."

Following the priest's blessing of "the Lord be with you," the response would change from "and also with you" to "And with your spirit."

The article is here. Be prepared to practice some patience as Bishop Trautman is quoted at length...I kept a bucket next to me so I could hurl and not make too much of a mess. Sometimes I wonder if the USCCB and some of these 'shepherds' are not a means of testing the faith and resolve of the those who are faithful to Christ and His Church?