Translations Revote Scheduled

U.S. bishops at last spring's meeting in Orlando.
U.S. bishops at last spring's meeting in Orlando. (photo: CNS)

The U.S. bishops will reconsider approval of the new English translation of the Proper of Seasons prayers from the Roman Missal.

The translation of the prayers failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority approval when the bishops met at their spring meeting last June in Orlando.

The bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship, which is chaired by Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, N.J.,  has requested a second vote on the translation at its fall general assembly Nov. 10-13 in Baltimore.

According to a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops press release, “Regarding the translation for the Proper of Seasons, Bishop Serratelli, also chair of the Committee on Divine Worship, sent all USCCB members the text of the Gray Book in English and Latin along with modifications already accepted by the committee and the body of bishops and the modification form. A ‘Gray Book’ is a second revision of a proposed text by the International Commission for English in the Liturgy, ICEL, which incorporates approved changes after initial consultation and is normally proposed for final vote by bishops’ conferences. Proposed modifications were to be submitted to the Committee by September 15. At the November meeting the body of bishops will be presented with the amended text for final vote.”

Several other liturgical items will be considered at the fall meeting, including approval of the Revised Grail Psalter by the Monks of Conception Abbey for liturgical use in the United States and a new Order for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb, in English and Spanish.

— Tom McFeely