Catholic bishops reject changes to prayers at Mass

WASHINGTON — The nation’s Roman Catholic bishops have rejected a new translation of Mass prayers, a rare instance of U.S. prelates denying a Vatican-ordered liturgical change.

While ballots are still coming in, it’s clear they won’t add up to the 166 needed to pass the new translation, said Sister Mary Ann Walsh, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). A two-thirds majority of the USCCB’s Latin-rite bishops is required for approval.

Sister Walsh said she could not recall another instance in which the U.S. bishops have rejected a full document of Vatican translations, though they have at times tinkered with individual phrases and words.

Several prelates said the newly translated prayers, traditionally spoken by priests at Mass, are stilted and incomprehensible. One called them a “linguistic swamp.”

Known as the Proper of Seasons, the prayers are said on Sundays, holy days and during liturgical seasons such as Lent and change from day to day. Examples include the opening prayer, prayers said over the bread and wine and prayer after Communion.