Believing in the new translation

[Nick Baty]

Interesting piece in The Tablet by Philip Endean.

One interesting point is the bishop who, when asked about the new translation, said: “I think it will be a disaster.” And yet is now writing in his diocesan paper that it will be a “blessing”.

Philip calls on "intelligent, knowledgeable and sensitive leaders who really believe in this new text to go a lot more public than they have done so far." But are there any? Or is everyone just toeing the party line?

[JW]

IMHO what I've seen of the new translation is inferior to what we have now and what we have now is far from perfect. Having said that, Vox Clara is convinced that it is being widely welcomed. They might be living in cloud cuckoo land so they won't be listening to anything anyone has to say. I think its time for us to get on with impementing the new translation and be ready for another one in 40 years or so when I'll be 99.

[John Ainslie]

I've just watched a fascinating programme on BBC4 on the translation of the King James Bible. The translators were a committee, like - or rather unlike - Vox Clara or ICEL. I'd love to show the programme to these august bodies. I daresay that the rules for translation set out for the KJB translators c.1605 make more sense than Liturgiam Authenticam...

[Nick Baty]

I would suggest that (IMHO) it's not for us to question the docs.
Our job is to help folk worship.
Negativity won't really help us move forward.
As a parish musician I must accept the texts and work with them.
(Not saying I find that idea easy but if I walk there are plenty more to take my place.)

[JoeWilkinson]

Of course it is for us to question the docs. The normal result of being angry about something and suppressing it is depression. I forsee a depression spreading unless we do what is recommended psychologically, and air the problem clearly. You may be replaceable, and I am, but the church will be more depressed if it does not keep you on board.

[Nick Baty]

But questioning the docs will only lead to frustration.
The new translation is coming, whether we like it or not.
In fact, it's now only a couple of months away.
Time spent grumbling is time wasted when there is so much to do.