Online Edition – July-August 2006
Vol. XII, No. 5
Nicene Creed Changes
A main debate over ICEL texts during the USCCB discussion was the use of “consubstantial” in the Creed to translate consubstantialem in the Latin Credo. Although the word “consubstantial” is used in the Catechism in the section on the Trinity, some bishops said people cannot understand this word, and it was replaced with “one in being”.
Following is the ICEL text as submitted, with indications of changes that were confirmed by voice vote of the bishops before they voted on the text as amended. (All new texts must be approved by the Holy See before they can be used at Mass.)
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I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
And [I believe] in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only-begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
Begotten, not made, consubstantial [one in being] with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us * and for our salvation
He came down from heaven,
At the following words, up to and including “and became man”, all bow.
And by the Holy Spirit was incarnate
of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death [, died] and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will have no end.
And [I believe] in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
And [I believe in] one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
And the life of the world to come. Amen.
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* Latin:“Qui propter nos hómines…”. The word “man” (homines) has been deleted from the ICEL translation submitted to the bishops. Bishops David Foley (Birmingham), Fabian Bruskewitz (Lincoln), Joseph Martino (Newark) wanted to retain “men”; however their amendments were rejected by the BCL before the meeting. The rationale for rejecting these amendments: “The Committee declines to accept the amendment, suggesting that the avoidance of men as a universal non-gendered inclusive, when possible, is a reasonable principle when translating into English as spoken in the United States (cf. NAB translation used in the Lectionary for Mass)”.
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