Good Afternoon, Church,

It has been a couple of months since I have raised the issue regarding the latest translation of the Roman Missal which will be introduced to the English speaking world in the coming Fall. Much has taken place both in front of and behind the scenes and I would like to bring you up-to-date on some news that has just taken place.

Benediction monk, Fr. Anthony Ruff was the chair of ICEL (International Commission for English in the Liturgy)for the Church. Fr. Ruff has recently resigned with the letter below. I feel Fr. Ruff's position characterizes my own feeling regarding this 'new liturgy' which I will be directed to celebrate with my parishes in this coming November.

It is a decision that cannot at this time be reversed but it's implications will mark the Church I love historically and will, in my opinion, prove to more of an obstacle than an aid to help people develop in our faith and in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

I would like to thank Fr. Ruff for having the courage to address this issue from his former very influential position and for taking the time to express his love for God's people and the Church he has given his life to serve as a monk, priest and teacher. Our Church has been made richer from his experience and I am garteful for his witness.

To date the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is moving slowly in regards to teaching about the new translation for mass but the United States Conference of catholic Bishops have a beautiful interactive website with many materials. You can find it here.

The full text of Fr. Ruff's letter is as follows:

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies,

With a heavy heart, I have recently made a difficult decision concerning the new English missal. I have decided to withdraw from all my upcoming speaking engagements on the Roman Missal in dioceses across the United States. After talking with my confessor and much prayer, I have concluded that I cannot promote the new missal translation with integrity. I’m sure bishops want a speaker who can put the new missal in a positive light, and that would require me to say things I do not believe.

I love the Church, I love the sacred liturgy, I love chant in Latin and English, and I treasure being involved with all these as a monk and priest. It has been an honor to serve until recently as chairman of the music committee of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) that prepared all the chants for the new missal. But my involvement in that process, as well as my observation of the Holy See’s handling of scandal, has gradually opened my eyes to the deep problems in the structures of authority of our church.

The forthcoming missal is but a part of a larger pattern of top-down impositions by a central authority that does not consider itself accountable to the larger church. When I think of how secretive the translation process was, how little consultation was done with priests or laity, how the Holy See allowed a small group to hijack the translation at the final stage, how unsatisfactory the final text is, how this text was imposed on national conferences of bishops in violation of their legitimate episcopal authority, how much deception and mischief have marked this process—and then when I think of Our Lord’s teachings on service and love and unity…I weep.

I see a good deal of disillusionment with the Catholic Church among my friends and acquaintances. Some leave the Catholic Church out of conviction, some gradually drift away, some join other denominations, some remain Catholic with difficulty. My response is to stay in this church for life and do my best to serve her. This I hope to do by stating the truth as I see it, with charity and respect. I would be ready to participate in future liturgical projects under more favorable conditions.

I am sorry for the difficulties I am causing others by withdrawing, but I know this is the right thing to do. I will be praying for you and all leaders in our church.

Pax in Christo,

Fr. Anthony Ruff, O.S.B.

The web address to read more is found here.