Dr. Likoudis writes to the Editor of "Elmira Star-Gazette", a local newspaper, responding to an article published in the August 21, 2010 issue of that newspaper, quoting the negative and unjust criticism by the disgruntled Jesuit priest Thomas Reese of the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University, concerning the revised Texts of the coming edition of the Roman Missal

The article (8/21/10) on the new Roman Missal to be used next year in all Catholic parishes of the Roman rite quotes the unhappy comments of the disgruntled Jesuit Thomas Reese of the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University. For him, the new translations are "a step backwards and confusing to the people in the pews". One fails to see how this can be since the people in the pews have never read the new translations or been properly catechized concerning the new texts.

Actually, the new texts sanctioned by Pope Benedict XVI and the American Bishops give voice to and confirm the dissatisfaction of many in the pews at the badly translated texts of the Mass they have suffered through 40 years of so-called liturgical renewal marked by Woodstock-type Masses replete with strumming guitars, banging pianos, not to mention the prevalence of banal and insipid musical ditties that have no relation to the traditional sacred music of the Church.

Fr. Reese is not alone in trying to stop Pope Benedict's "Reform of the reform" that is intended to correctly implement the authentic liturgical directives of Vatican II. He reminds me of his other liberal confreres at Woodstock who would happily join in writing a volume to instruct those in the pews: "Catholic Liturgical Directives for Dummies by other Dummies".

About Dr. James Likoudis
James Likoudis is an expert in Catholic apologetics. He is the author of several books dealing with Catholic-Eastern Orthodox relations, including his most recent "The Divine Primacy of the Bishop of Rome and Modern Eastern Orthodoxy: Letters to a Greek Orthodox on the Unity of the Church." He has written many articles published by various religious papers and magazines.
He can be reached at:  jameslikoudis1@gmail.com, or visit  Dr. James Likoudis' Homepage