Retired bishop disputes 'exclusive language'

Catholic New Times, Nov 21, 2004

CORNWALL, ENGLAND (CCCN) -- Many believe the debate over inclusive language in the church's liturgy is subsiding in North America, but it may just be "less strident," says Msgr. Bruce Harbert, the executive director of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL).

"But you can be assured that all 11 bishops of ICEL are aware of the seriousness of that issue," Harbert told the Canadian bishops Oct. 21 at their annual assembly.

Harbert was responding to comments from Bishop Remi De Roo, during a question period following his talk on the revised Roman Missal and Liturgiam Authenticam (The Authentic Liturgy).

De Roo, the bishop-emeritus of Victoria, had pleaded with his fellow bishops to look at the issue of inclusive language "pastorally as well as academically."

He said there was much more involved in the issue than simply a question of linguistics. "It's a bit too easy for us here, a male audience. to sit here and academically justify the fact that we don't have inclusive language," De Roo said.

"There's a very profound pastoral issue here that touches on the very credibility of the leadership of the church at this time," added De Roo, banned by the Vatican five years ago from speaking at the world congress of the International Federation of Married Catholic Priests, in Atlanta, Ga.

"I'd like us to be conscious that it's not just a question of being faithful to the Latin. We also need to be faithful to our own faithful people who are deeply wounded because we have not honestly come to grips with all the assumptions behind the justifications for the exclusive language."