My point is that we have not really had a vernacular translation for these forty years – we’ve only had a paraphrase. The new translation will foster faith development because it communicates the truths of the Catholic faith in its continuity more clearly and with beauty. The liturgy should be beautiful and in its beauty it will evangelize.

I agree with that changes are needed but changes such as (1) seem a little bit like a council in overdrive to me. Not every line should be translated directly from the latin.

My whole point is that much of the sense of the sacred and mystery was lost in the vernacular translations. This is what such a review should seek to re-capture. The sense of the word along with practices and architecture which stress the sacred are necessary…literal translation of latin phrases- “enter under my roof” – are not necessary…I think. This is a huge issue anyway though.

The loss of the word ‘Yahweh’ may be in the name of understanding between both faiths but this understanding is between the intellectuals in both. The loss of the word could lead to many Catholics’ awareness of our link with Judaism being weakened or even lost. This understanding is more important as the Church is not the intellectual elites but the people of God.

You write: “The use of a true vernacular translation in place of the present paraphrase will help to inform the people about the faith and the culture of that faith.” We have had vernacular translations of the readings for years but it doesn’t take much to become cynical about how this has informed the people. The problem here is that the people don’t care. If they’re not listening a new translation won’t make a difference. The aim should really be to encourage interest and foster faith development by encouraging dialogue.

On your question about the translation of the Mass into Irish: I have checked this and answered this query in the ‘Hello’ blog.

Yes, to retain the biblical allusion lost in the 1969 paraphrase but actually present in the post V2 Mass.

2). Avoiding the use of the tetragrammaton is about sensitivity to observant Jews who will not even pronounce the Name of God.

3). The use of a true vernacular translation in place of the present paraphrase will help to inform the people about the faith and the culture of that faith. It also may help to create a sacred vernacular. It is a pity that forty years have gone by and we still await a full translation of the Mass.