Latin 101: "Pro Multis" means "For the Many"

German priests reject Vatican directive on translation

Rottenburg, Jun. 8, 2007 (Kath.net/CWNews.com) - Priests in Rottenburg, Germany have voted to reject the Vatican translation of the phrase pro multis in the Eucharistic liturgy, the Kath.net news service reports.

The priests' council of the Rottenburg-Stuttgart diocese announced that the members had decided by a "democratic vote," to retain the current German translation of pro multis as "for all."
The Rottenburg priests argued that the use of "for many" would be confusing to the faithful "in this day and age." They added that the original Scriptural text read "for all," citing as their authority a Protestant scholar of the 18th century whose analysis the Catholic Church has rejected.

"The promise of salvation is directed to all people," the German priests said. "This truth of the faith is put most clearly in the 'for all.'"

Latin 101: Pro Multis means "For the Many". Pro omnibus means "for all". All first year Latin students know this. The text of the Mass dating as far back as written records go record the words of Jesus during the consecration of the Holy Chalice as For the many or Pro Multis in reference for whom Christ's own blood will be shed.

There is no debate. Somehow, in English and apparently in German, this text gets translated as "For All." That dovetails nicely with the universal salvation heresy that current blights the Church. Do they think the Church is a democracy? She is not, she's a monarchy and Christ is the King.

The Germans cite the work of a Protestant. HA, HA, HA. Game. Set. Match. You lose. That's like citing the work of Adolph Hitler in reference to a Passover Sedr. Lucky for us Catholics, the Church is not an open debate club when it comes to the Faith and Morals, we have a Pope. The wayward German priests are free to join any number of 26,000 sects all claiming to be Christian. I suggest they leave immediately.

Certainly, this little tempest points to the folly of translating the Mass into the vernacular. The translation process is an opportunity for mischief, error and heresy. Oh Come, Holy Inquisition.