The practically unanimous approval of the English language for the Liturgy by 200 United States Bishops, who met in Washington, April 2 and 3, is a continuing sign of their very spirited leadership in the new aggiornamento of the Church.

Although no date has been set for the adoption of the English in large sections of the Mass and in all parts of the Sacraments, it is confidently expected that within the year 1964, the changes will be ready. It is possible that this will conclude with the opening of the Church’s year of worship, the first Sunday of Advent in December.

The American bishops, many of whom spoke and worked vigorously for the vernacular in both sessions of the Council, met in Rome in November 1963 and authorized their Episcopal Commission for the Liturgical Apostolate to prepare all necessary data for a thorough study of the problem. This group, headed by Archbishop John F. Dearden of Detroit, met in Philadelphia January 8 and New York City February 28 with selected priests and lay liturgical specialists. A draft of their proposals was then sent to all United States bishops to prepare for the official meeting held April 2. The completeness and clarity of this confidential report was a real tribute to those who prepared it.

The next two steps are the transmission of a draft decree to the Apostolic See in Rome, which is now being done; and the actual publication of the missals, rituals and breviaries by the publishing houses.

Meanwhile, progress in the vernacular decrees is being reported from France, Germany, Canada, Australia and Indonesia. The decisions of the American bishops will undoubtedly influence much of the English speaking Catholic world. The Secretariat of the International Committee for these nine English speaking areas is located in Washington, D.C.

Paul J. Hallinan

Archbishop of Atlanta