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A Liturgist's Guide to Inclusive Language
Inclusive language is an explosive issue. It is also an issue that every parish must face. This small volume sets aside extreme stances and instead presents the rationale behind inclusive language and rational guidelines for responsible implementation.
100 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
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July 19, 2024
A DETAILED CATHOLIC LOOK AT THE ISSUES OF "INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE"
Ronald D. Witherup (born 1950) is superior general of the Society of St. Sulpice (the "Sulpicians" order), and was a former dean and professor at St. Patrick Seminary; he has written many other publications, such as 'The Bible Companion: A Catholic Handbook for Beginners,' 'Biblical Fundamentalism: What Every Catholic Should Know,' 'Scripture: Dei Verbum (Rediscovering Vatican II),' etc.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1996 book, "the goal of this book is threefold. First, it intends to inform and educate the average Catholic about some of the complexities of inclusive language... Second, it aims to provide a type of 'handbook' for diocesan and parish liturgy groups, and for all liturgical ministers... Third, it provides a resource for further study." He notes in his Introduction that, although Protestants have written much literature about inclusive language, "little has been written from a Roman Catholic perspective." (Pg. 4)
As an example of change in liturgy, he points out that long before the rubrics permitted the celebrant to refer to Christ shedding his blood for "all" rather than "all MEN," many priests "had made the simple deletion of the offensive word." While not condoning "the violation of liturgical rubrics," he adds that "sometimes changes in the Church occur in this manner." (Pg. 5)
He discusses how in 1994, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments announced that permission to use the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (which included "inclusive language") in church had been rescinded; "No specific reasons for the withdrawal of permission were given, although news accounts indicated that the matters of inclusive language were of a doctrinal nature and not merely stylistic." (Pg. 57) He asks, however, "If the concerns... were truly doctrinal, how could Catholics logically still be encouraged to use it for private study and prayer but not for public worship or catechetics?" (Pg. 65)
This is a very informative book on a subject that is rarely treated in Catholic circles.
Ronald D. Witherup (born 1950) is superior general of the Society of St. Sulpice (the "Sulpicians" order), and was a former dean and professor at St. Patrick Seminary; he has written many other publications, such as 'The Bible Companion: A Catholic Handbook for Beginners,' 'Biblical Fundamentalism: What Every Catholic Should Know,' 'Scripture: Dei Verbum (Rediscovering Vatican II),' etc.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1996 book, "the goal of this book is threefold. First, it intends to inform and educate the average Catholic about some of the complexities of inclusive language... Second, it aims to provide a type of 'handbook' for diocesan and parish liturgy groups, and for all liturgical ministers... Third, it provides a resource for further study." He notes in his Introduction that, although Protestants have written much literature about inclusive language, "little has been written from a Roman Catholic perspective." (Pg. 4)
As an example of change in liturgy, he points out that long before the rubrics permitted the celebrant to refer to Christ shedding his blood for "all" rather than "all MEN," many priests "had made the simple deletion of the offensive word." While not condoning "the violation of liturgical rubrics," he adds that "sometimes changes in the Church occur in this manner." (Pg. 5)
He discusses how in 1994, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments announced that permission to use the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (which included "inclusive language") in church had been rescinded; "No specific reasons for the withdrawal of permission were given, although news accounts indicated that the matters of inclusive language were of a doctrinal nature and not merely stylistic." (Pg. 57) He asks, however, "If the concerns... were truly doctrinal, how could Catholics logically still be encouraged to use it for private study and prayer but not for public worship or catechetics?" (Pg. 65)
This is a very informative book on a subject that is rarely treated in Catholic circles.
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