2013 Survey Of U. S. Priests On The New Roman Missal

[Apotheoun]

This survey shows fairly widespread skepticism about the new Missal by U.S. Catholic priests, with strong differences in opinion between the majority of priests who do not like the Missal and the minority who do. Among the principal findings of this survey:

 

• By a 3 to 2 margin, priests do not like the new text - 59% do not like it, compared to 39% who do.
• By a similar margin, 57% to 36%, priests do not like the more formal style of language, with over one-third (35%) strongly disliking the new language.
• Similarly, only 35% of priests think that the new translation is an improvement on the old one, against 56% who do not think it is an improvement. Over one- third of priests (34%) strongly disagree that the new Missal is an improvement.
• Priests overwhelmingly think that some of the language is awkward and distracting - 80% agree with this statement, with nearly three out of five (59%) agreeing strongly with this negative appraisal.
• More than three in five priests (61%) think that the new translation urgently needs to be revised, with 43% strongly agreeing that it urgently needs revision. Only 29% disagree that the new Missal needs revision.
• Similarly, more than three in five priests (61%) do not think work should go forward translating the Liturgy of the Hours and other sacraments in the same style as the new Missal, with 43% strongly disagreeing with this work continuing. Only slightly more than three in ten priests (32%) would like to see translation work continue in the same style.
• Most priests (55%) are not confident that priests' translation views will be taken seriously, with less than one-quarter of priests (24%) confident their views will be taken seriously.
• Nearly half of all priests (49%) do not approve of the Holy See's leadership in bringing about the new Missal, with nearly three in ten priests (29%) strongly disapproving of the Holy See's role. Less than two out of five priests (39%) approve of the Holy See's leadership on the new Missal.

 

Click the link to see more of the survey results:  2013 Survey of U.S. Priests on the New Roman Missal

[the171]

Eh, they can suck it up.

[Basilisa Marie]

Not surprised.  Some of the changes were good, others were awkward and/or unnecessary.  It's good that we have a translation that's more in line with what the rest of the world is saying, especially because many poorer dioceses use the English translation as a guide for making their own vernacular because it's harder for them to get a Latin translator.  But you're crazy if you think Joe Catholic thinks there's a difference between "one in being with" and "consubstantial."  

 

 

Priest respondents were given the opportunity to submit comments about the new Missal, and over half (52%) did so. Analysis of the 799 comments shows that critique of the Missal outweighs affirmation by a four to one margin. Based on analysts' appraisal of the priests' comments, it is estimated that slightly over 80% of the comments are critical of the Missal, while slightly less than 20% of the comments are affirming of the Missal.

 

[Little Flower]

All 178 Roman Catholic Latin rite dioceses in the U.S. were invited to take part in this study; 32 dioceses participated.

I just wonder... is that a large enough sample size? Would dioceses who are in general less satisfied with the new translation be more likely to take the survey to record their dissatisfaction? If you liked it just fine and had no strong feelings either way, I would think you would be less likely to participate, thereby skewing the results.

 

 

Of course, I am biased since I love the new translation.

 

AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT!!!!!!

[cappie]

I tend to think that surveys, unless they get a response from a majority of the presbyterate** of all the dioceses in the country, are of only limited use (and that, mainly of getting an opinion from priests who haven’t had a chance to express one).

 

Otherwise the conclusions of any survey either (a) reinforce the opinions of those who agree with them (b) are criticized on grounds of their unrepresentative nature, bias, etc. by those who disagree with the conclusion. Either way, it seems to do little to change a previously held opinion, one way or the other.

 

We have become a Church of critics. Like one spouse who continually criticizes the other, constant critiquing usually ends up in division and divorce. While I recognize that the professionals in the Church, mainly clergy and of a particular ideological bent, are dissatisfied with the translation, I’d be more impressed with a poll of the laity. But those polls should indicate how the new translation was implemented in the parishes surveyed, positively, reluctantly or negatively by those in charge of implementing it, the clergy. I suspect that would have an effect on the attitudes surveyed. Except for the inconvenience caused by the shift in some parts of the laity’s responses, after almost two years of this new translation, I don’t think I’ve heard any negative comments whatsoever and certainly none concerning what the priest prays. I suspect only those who are in tuned with the negativity that abounds in the Church today would have negative sentiments about the translation at this point.

 

[CatherineM]

Sometimes the only people who complete the survey are those who have a problem with something.