Pope thanks International Commission on English in the Liturgy on 50 years

October 18, 2013 - Pope Francis on Friday thanked the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) on its 50 years of activity, saying the fruits of its labours have helped the prayer life of countless Catholics, and contributed to the understanding of the faith, the exercise of the common priesthood and the renewal of the Church’s missionary outreach. The ICEL was set up in 1963 by a number of episcopal conferences of English-speaking countries for the purpose of providing English translations of the liturgical books of the Roman Rite, the originals of which are in Latin. Final translations are reviewed by the Holy See before being put into effect. Addressing 25 ICEL members and staff, Pope Francis said that the commission is part of the great liturgical renewal called for by the Second Vatican Council, and is a concrete expression of the spirit of episcopal collegiality. He said the Commission also contributed significantly to the conscious, active and devout participation called for by the Second Vatican Council. “By enabling the vast numbers of the Catholic faithful throughout the world to pray in a common language, your Commission has helped to foster the Church’s unity in faith and sacramental communion,” the Pope noted. (Source: Vatican)