"What if We Just Said, Wait?" Yeah... Let's Not.

What if I went into my Latin class and translated my homework into the "common language of the people"? What if I translated a singular verb, like I walk, into a plural verb, like we walk? Is my aim to be as literal as possible (while still understandable), or to translate into the common "tongue"?

Every language teacher, and most people, will tell you the former. Father Michael Ryan will tell you the latter. Father Ryan created the website, "What If We Just Said Wait", a website dedicated to delaying (or possibly stopping) the new translation of the Missale Romanum. Well, Father Ryan has finally thrown in the towel.

The Seattle Post-Intelligence is reporting the story. And, of course, Father Zuhlsdorf provides comedic commentary.  So far, and despite the publicity he has received from the National Catholic Reporter, only 21,907 people agree with Fr. Ryan. And who are these people that have signed their name to his petition?

Well, the same people that have left comments like this (personal comments in parenthesis):

We don't need a new translation of the missal. We need a church that is spiritual and instructs its people in spirituality (Really? Because a more accurate translation of the Mass seems a great way to do it), not externalisms. Let us not resort to the likes of the Scribes and Pharisees and be concerned about the words and symbols of the exterior (Um, that was not the 'sin' of the Scribes and Pharisees. Rather, it was that they did not have on the inside what they were displaying on the outside), but rather be concerned with spirituality and the Creator (being concerned about the translation of the ultimate worship of the Creator is certainly part of it!).

There are so many problems with this. It shows a lack of forethought about the new translation, approved by the majority of bishops and by the Vatican. Father Ryan and his 'posse' have never been a real threat to the new translation, but have simply acted like children trying to spoil the fun of other kids. They know that it's going to happen, so they might as well ruin it for the rest of us... the majority of us. Kudos for handling this like an adult, Father Ryan.

Clarification: I have no problem with someone not wanting/likeing the translation. It's not a matter de fide. What I have a problem with is when people 1) Don't have a good reason for not wanting/likeing the new translation; 2) Don't handle an issue like this properly (e.g. they don't go through the proper channels; they do something unnecessary just to be a thorn; they disagree just to disagree; etc.).

Well, what about you? Are you excited about the new translation, or would you rather stick with what we've got? (In either case, please explain why!)