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Mass Embarrassment: Priests Need Latin Lessons

Pope restores old rite, but clerics don't know the words

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2007 5:59 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Traditionalist Catholics have lauded Pope Benedict's recent call for more Masses in Latin, but priests are biting their nails—few of them know enough of the language to say a Latin Mass. Even Italian priests face embarrassment in the wake of Pope Benedict 's decision to allow Latin services at parishioners' request, the Italian daily La Stampa reports.

Vernacular Mass replaced the Latin Mass nearly 40 years ago amid a storm of controversy.  The new change could be just as tumultuous. "The faithful can't any longer understand us in Italian, let alone Latin," said one priest. "I am absolutely incapable of saying Mass in Latin," said another.

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Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful after the traditional Angelus prayer in the 19th century Mirabello castle in Lorenzago di Cadore, near Belluno, Italy, Sunday, July 15, 2007. Benedict emerged from his monastic-like vacation to bless the faithful at his secluded mountain retreat in Italy's Dolomite mountains. Benedict plans to...
Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful after the traditional Angelus prayer in the 19th century Mirabello castle in Lorenzago di Cadore, near Belluno, Italy, Sunday, July 15, 2007. Benedict emerged from...   (Associated Press)
Cardinal Rogery Mahony celebrates a Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles in this May 2006 file photo. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will settle its clergy abuse cases for at least $600 million, the largest payout to date in the...
Cardinal Rogery Mahony celebrates a Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles in this May 2006 file photo. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will settle its clergy...   (Associated Press)
Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Bishop of Aparecida, Brazil, and President of the Latin America and Caribbean Episcopal Council, CELAM, center, attends a mass in Havana's cathedral, Friday, July 13, 2007. Roman Catholic cardinals and bishops from across Latin America and top Cuban officials discussed how to improve relations between the church...
Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Bishop of Aparecida, Brazil, and President of the Latin America and Caribbean Episcopal Council, CELAM, center, attends a mass in Havana's cathedral, Friday, July 13, 2007. Roman...   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
patrickmcmahon
Apr 21, 2010 12:38 PM CDT
i've been to several latin masses and only once seen a priest who knew enough latin to understand what he was reading

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