Press Release March 14, 2003
The Vox Clara Committee met for the third time from March 12-14, 2003 in the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome. This Committee of senior Bishops from around the English-speaking world was established on July 19, 2001, to give advice to the Congregation regarding matters of liturgical translations of Latin liturgical texts into the English language, and to strengthen effective cooperation with the Conferences of Bishops in this regard. Its inaugural meeting took place from April 22 to April 24 of last year.
The Vox Clara Committee is chaired by Archbishop George Pell, Sydney (Australia). Present at this meeting were Members Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, Mobile (USA), who serves as First Vice-Chairman, Archbishop Oswald Gracias, Agra (India), who serves as Second Vice-Chairman; His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Westminster (England), who serves as Secretary; Archbishop Justin Rigali, Saint Louis (USA), who serves as Treasurer Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Kumasi (Ghana); Archbishop Alfred Hughes, New Orleans (USA); Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Castries (Saint Lucia). Other Members of the Committee, though not present at the meeting, are His Eminence Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Chicago (USA); Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D., Malolos (Philippines); and Bishop Philip Boyce, O.C.D., Raphoe (Ireland). In attendance were the following Advisors to the Committee: Reverend Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B.(USA), Abbot Cuthbert Johnson, O.S.B. (England), Monsignor Gerard McKay (Rome), Professor Dennis McManus (USA), and Monsignor James P. Moroney (USA).
In the course of their meeting the Committee considered a draft of a document, termed a ratio translationis, describing the specific application to the English language of the principles contained in Liturgiam authenticam. The Instruction, in no. 9, envisions such a document, to be issued by the authority of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, as a tool that would then assist translators by providing principles for translation that are specific to a given language. Additionally, the Committee examined translations of select parts of the Missale Romanum with a view toward providing the Congregation with texts that might be considered exemplars of liturgical translations that conform to the criteria established by the Instruction Liturgiam authenticam, approved by the Holy Father on March 20, 2001.
The Committee discussed and offered its comments and advice to the Congregation regarding developments in arrangements made at various levels for the drafting of English-language translations of liturgical texts. In particular, the Committee was pleased to hear of recent initiatives by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy to assure the effective application of the principles of Liturgiam authenticam to the processes and principles underlying the timely translation of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia into the English language. The Committee looks forward to assisting the Congregation in support of these initiatives in the future.
The Bishops present also had occasion for an exchange with the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Francis Arinze, who joined them for a discussion on Thursday morning.
Press Release November 21, 2003
Press Release March 11, 2004
The Vox Clara Committee met for the fifth time from March 9-11, 2004 in the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome. This Committee of senior Bishops from around the English-speaking world was established on July 19, 2001, to give advice to the Congregation regarding matters of liturgical translations of Latin liturgical texts into the English language, and to strengthen effective cooperation with the Conferences of Bishops in this regard.
The Vox Clara Committee is chaired by His Eminence Cardinal George Pell, Sydney (Australia). Present at this meeting were Members Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, Mobile (USA), who serves as First Vice-Chairman, Archbishop Oswald Gracias, Agra (India), who serves as Second Vice-Chairman; His Eminence Cardinal Justin Rigali, Philadelphia (USA), who serves as Treasurer; His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Westminster (England), who serves as Secretary; Archbishop Alfred Hughes, New Orleans (USA); Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Kumasi (Ghana); Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Castries (Saint Lucia), and Archbishop Terence Prendergast, S.J. Halifax (Canada). Other Members of the Committee, though not present at the meeting, are His Eminence Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Chicago (USA); Bishop Philip Boyce, O.C.D., Raphoe (Ireland), and Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D., Prelate of Infanta (Philippines). In attendance were the following Advisors to the Committee: Abbot Cuthbert Johnson, O.S.B. (England), Monsignor Gerard McKay (Rome), Reverend Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B. (USA), Professor Dennis McManus (USA), and Monsignor James P. Moroney (USA).
In the course of their meeting the Committee provided advice to the Congregation to expedite the completion of an English language vernacular edition of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia. A report was received on the progress and processes of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy.
At the request of the Congregation, the Committee examined a translation of the Order of Mass recently completed by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy. While the details of the text are presently under consideration by the Bishops of the member conferences of ICEL, the Committee was able to abstract certain observations and questions in regard to the mixed commission’s application of the instruction Liturgiam authenticam to this translation.
The general assessment of the text was positive, with many sections exhibiting a fine grasp of the precision and memorability required of vernacular editions of Roman liturgical books. To ensure the development of a strong and contemporary English style, general suggestions for improvement of the text were offered to the Congregation as an assistance and support to the mixed commission. The Committee expressed appreciation to ICEL for the significant progress it has made thus far and acknowledges the formidable task which still remains.
Finally, the Committee, at the request of the Congregation, reviewed a series of responses gathered from a consultation of the Bishops of English-speaking Conferences of Bishops on the Ratio Translationis for the English Language. This instrument describes the principles of translation of the Roman editiones typicae into the English language and is intended to benefit Bishops, translators, and other specialists engaged in this important work.
His Eminence Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments addressed the Committee on March 10, 2004 and, expressing the gratitude of the Congregation to the members of the Committee, engaged in a discussion with the members of the Vox Clara Committee concerning their work.
The next meeting of the Vox Clara Committee is scheduled for November, 2004.
Press Release November 11, 2004
The Vox Clara Committee met for the sixth time from November 9-11, 2004 in the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome. This Committee of senior Bishops from around the English-speaking world was established on July 19, 2001, to give advice to the Congregation regarding matters of liturgical translations of Latin liturgical texts into the English-language, and to strengthen effective cooperation with the Conferences of Bishops in this regard.
The Vox Clara Committee is chaired by Cardinal George Pell, Sydney (Australia). Present at this meeting were Members Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, Mobile (USA), who serves as First Vice-Chairman, Archbishop Oswald Gracias, Agra (India), who serves as Second Vice-Chairman; Cardinal Justin Rigali, Philadelphia (USA), who serves as Treasurer; Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Westminster (England), who serves as Secretary; Archbishop Alfred Hughes, New Orleans (USA); Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Kumasi (Ghana); Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Castries (Saint Lucia), and Archbishop Terence Prendergast, S.J., Halifax (Canada); and Bishop Philip Boyce, O.C.D., Raphoe (Ireland). Other Members of the Committee, though not present at the meeting, are Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Chicago (USA); and Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D., Prelate of Infanta (Philippines). In attendance were the following Advisors to the Committee: Monsignor Gerard McKay (Rome), Abbot Cuthbert Johnson, O.S.B. (England), Reverend Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B. (USA), Professor Dennis McManus (USA), and Monsignor James P. Moroney (USA).
In the course of their meeting, the Committee received a progress report by teleconference from Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I. on the development of an English-language vernacular edition of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL).
The Committee was provided a copy of the latest revision of ICEL’s translation of the Order of Mass, recently revised in the light of comments from Bishops throughout the English-speaking world. The Committee was impressed by the significant progress made by the mixed commission. At the request of the Congregation, the members conducted a review of the latest ICEL translation in the light of the instruction Liturgiam authenticam. In this way the Committee sought to respond to the desire expressed by Pope John Paul II in his message to the Vox Clara Commission of April 20, 2002 “of making available to the faithful, as quickly as possible, the vernacular translation of the editio tertia of the Missale Romanum…”
The Vox Clara Committee also discussed the implications for its work of pursuing the development of common liturgical and devotional texts with Christians of other Churches and ecclesial communities. In this regard, the Committee stressed the pressing pastoral need for the translation of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia as a first priority.
At the Congregation’s request, the Committee reviewed outlines of three appendices to the Ratio Translationis for the English-language, recently revised in the light of a world wide consultation with the English-speaking Conferences of Bishops. The appendices are designed to provide concrete application of the Ratio Translationis, which itself serves to apply the principles of Liturgiam authenticam to the translation of Latin liturgical texts into the English-language.
Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments addressed the Committee on November 10, 2004 and expressed his hope that the recently successful efforts by ICEL would result in a timely completion of the Roman Missal. He also thanked the members and advisors of the Vox Clara Committee for helping to encourage the realization of “the very best translation that can be provided for the English-speaking world.”
The next meeting of the Vox Clara Committee is scheduled for March, 2005.
Press Release March 10, 2005
The Vox Clara Committee met for the seventh time from March 8-10, 2005 in the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome. This Committee of senior Bishops from Episcopal Conferences throughout the English-speaking world was established on July 19, 2001, to give advice to the Congregation regarding matters of liturgical translations of Latin liturgical texts into the English-language, and to strengthen effective cooperation with the Conferences of Bishops in this regard.
The Vox Clara Committee is chaired by Cardinal George Pell, Sydney (Australia). Present at this meeting were Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, Mobile (USA), who serves as First Vice-Chairman; Archbishop Oswald Gracias, Agra (India), who serves as Second Vice-Chairman; Cardinal Justin Rigali, Philadelphia (USA), who serves as Treasurer; Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Westminster (England), who serves as Secretary; Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Chicago (USA); Archbishop Alfred Hughes, New Orleans (USA); Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Kumasi (Ghana); Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Castries (Saint Lucia), Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Halifax (Canada); and Bishop Philip Boyce, O.C.D., Raphoe (Ireland). Another member of the Committee, though not present at the meeting, is Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D., Prelate of Infanta (Philippines). In attendance were the following Advisors to the Committee: Monsignor Gerard McKay (Rome), Abbot Cuthbert Johnson, O.S.B. (England), Reverend Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B. (USA), Professor Dennis McManus (USA), and Monsignor James P. Moroney (USA).
At the request of the Congregation, the Committee was provided a copy of the latest revision of ICEL’s translation of a selection of prayers from the Proper of Seasons in the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia. The members of the Vox Clara Committee noted the impressive improvements in the most recent ICEL texts. The members also anticipate the significant assistance which the forthcoming Ratio Translationis will bring to ICEL’s collaborators.
The timely completion of an English-language edition of the Missale Romanum remains the highest priority and the members urged that all possible resources should be devoted to the expeditious completion of a vernacular edition which is at once precise in its rendering of the Latin texts and appropriate for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in English. In this regard, the Committee welcomed a recommendation from ICEL, suggesting means by which the Congregation might facilitate a closer coordination between the work of Vox Clara and the mixed commission.
The members of the Vox Clara Committee were gratified to learn of the progress made in initiatives by which the revised ICEL translation of those liturgical texts presently held in common could be discussed with other Churches and ecclesial communities. The renewal and restructuring of the processes by which Conferences of Bishops and ecumenical bodies might collaborate in such endeavors was seen as highly desirable in the light of the instruction Liturgiam authenticam.
The Committee continued to examine style guides and other supplementary material for the Ratio Translationis. An extended consideration of such materials is scheduled for the next meeting of the Committee.
The members of the Vox Clara Committee expressed their gratitude to Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation, who met with the members and advisors of the Committee on the second day of the meeting. In particular, the Committee was grateful for the work of the recent plenary meeting of the Congregation and the reaffirmation by its members of the indispensable role of the recognitio in the effective implementation of the instruction Liturgiam authenticam.
The next meeting of the Vox Clara Committee is scheduled for July, 2005.
Press Release July 7, 2005
The Vox Clara Committee met for the eighth time from July 5-7, 2005 in the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome. This Committee of senior Bishops from Episcopal Conferences throughout the English speaking world was established on July 19, 2001, to give advice to the Congregation regarding matters of translations of Latin liturgical texts into the English language, and to strengthen effective cooperation with the Conferences of Bishops in this regard.
The Vox Clara Committee is chaired by Cardinal George Pell, Sydney (Australia). Present at this meeting were Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, Mobile (USA), who serves as First Vice-Chairman; Cardinal Justin Rigali, Philadelphia (USA), who serves as Treasurer; Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Westminster (England), who serves as Secretary; Archbishop Alfred Hughes, New Orleans (USA); Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Kumasi (Ghana); Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Castries (Saint Lucia), Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Halifax (Canada); and Bishop Philip Boyce, O.C.D., Raphoe (Ireland). Other members of the Committee, though not present at the meeting, include Archbishop Oswald Gracias, Agra (India), who serves as Second Vice-Chairman; Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Chicago (USA); and Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D., Prelate of Infanta (Philippines). In attendance were the following Advisors to the Committee: Monsignor Gerard McKay (Rome), Abbot Cuthbert Johnson, O.S.B. (England), Reverend Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B. (USA), Deacon Dennis McManus (USA), and Monsignor James P. Moroney (USA).
Various and recent draft translations of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia were reviewed by the Committee at the request of the Congregation. The members noted, with great satisfaction, that the most recent renderings of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) constitute an immense step forward in the translation project of the Roman Rite as envisioned by the Instruction Liturgiam authenticam. At the same time, the Committee's extended discussion of the theological, liturgical, biblical and patristic dimensions of ICEL's rendering of the prayers from the Proper of Seasons resulted in both general and specific recommendations to the Congregation in regard to these renderings.
Vox Clara recalled, on several occasions, the admonition of Pope John Paul II at the start of its work in March, 2002, that an English-language edition of the Roman Missal be completed at the earliest possible date. While the Committee shares the general concern for the reception of these texts by the Bishops, priests and people of the English-speaking world, the members expressed their conviction that this reception would be impeded by delays in a timely completion of the project.
The Committee also reviewed and presented to the Congregation a working draft of the Ratio Translationis. A Ratio Translationis for each language group was first proposed by the instruction Liturgiam authenticam, no. 9. The instrument is an illustrative document, designed to spell out the practical implications of current requirements. It is hoped that the availability of a basic guide in the English language will be of help to the International Commission on English and the Liturgy and to those experts they call to assist them in such a pastorally crucial, technically difficult and time-consuming task.
Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation, introduced the members and advisors of the Committee to Pope Benedict XVI in the course of the General Audience of July 6, 2005. On the next day, the Prefect addressed the group and discussed their various proposals. The Prefect discussed means by which the Ratio Translationis might be published as soon as possible, various details in the publication of the Ratio Translationis, and other translation issues.
The next meeting of the Vox Clara Committee is scheduled for November, 2005.
Press Release November 10, 2005
The Vox Clara Committee met for the eighth time from November 8-10, 2005 in the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome.
Established by the Congregation on July 19, 2001, this Committee of senior Bishops from Episcopal Conferences throughout the English-speaking world was formed to give advice to the Congregation regarding the translation of Latin liturgical texts into the English-language, and to strengthen effective cooperation with the Conferences of Bishops in this regard.
The Vox Clara Committee is chaired by Cardinal George Pell, Sydney (Australia). The participants in the meeting were Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb, Mobile (USA), who serves as First Vice-Chairman; Archbishop Oswald Gracias, Agra (India), who serves as Second Vice-Chairman; Cardinal Justin Rigali, Philadelphia (USA), who serves as Treasurer; Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Kumasi (Ghana); Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Castries (Saint Lucia), and Bishop Philip Boyce, O.C.D., Raphoe (Ireland). Other members of the Committee, though not present at the meeting, are Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Westminster (England), who serves as Secretary; Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Chicago (USA); Archbishop Alfred Hughes, New Orleans (USA); Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Halifax (Canada); and Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D., Prelate of Infanta (Philippines). The work of the Committee was supported by the following Advisors: Monsignor Gerard McKay (Rome), Abbot Cuthbert Johnson, O.S.B. (England), Reverend Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B. (USA), Reverend Dennis McManus (USA), and Monsignor James P. Moroney (USA).
On the first day of its meeting, the Committee welcomed the opportunity to meet with Bishop Arthur Roche, Bishop of Leeds and Chairman of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy and Monsignor Bruce Harbert, Executive Director of the ICEL Secretariat. The members were particularly gratified by the preparation of a projected schedule for the completion of the ICEL translations of the various parts of the Roman Missal over the next twenty-three months.
Consequently, the Committee looked closely at its own processes and schedules in order to facilitate an effective coordination between the production of ICEL "Green Books," (preliminary drafts for the consideration of Bishops' Conferences) of the various parts of the Roman Missal and the review of each of these segments by the Vox Clara Committee.
The major work of the Committee consisted of a review of the draft ICEL translation of the Proper of Seasons. The indispensable role of the Ratio Translationis of the English Language in the continuing work of translating the Roman Missal was also discussed, as were plans for the completion of various supplementary materials to the Ratio Translationis.
Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments met with the members and advisors on the last day of the meeting. The Cardinal Prefect read to the Committee a letter he had received from Pope Benedict XVI concerning the work of the Vox Clara Committee. In that letter, dated November 9, 2005, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude to the members and advisors of the Committee, noting his confidence that, as a result of this work, "the translation of the Missale Romanum into English will succeed in transmitting the treasures of the faith and the liturgical tradition in the specific context of a devout and reverent Eucharistic celebration."
The Holy Father also wrote: "To this gratitude I add the hope that the translation into English of the latest edition of the Missale Romanum may soon be completed, so that the faithful throughout the English-speaking world may benefit from the use of liturgical texts accurately rendered in accordance with the norms of the Instruction Liturgiam Authenticam."
The members of the Committee expressed their gratitude for the encouraging words of the Holy Father and thanked the Cardinal Prefect for his consistent and generous support of the work of the Vox Clara Committee.
The next meeting of the Vox Clara Committee is scheduled for May, 2006.
