Irish priests are expressing their criticism of a new translation of the Roman missal that is to be used in Ireland starting in Advent next December.

Members of the bishop’s Commission for Worship, Pastoral Renewal and Faith Development met the Association of Catholic Priests in Maynooth last week, according to the Irish Times.

Fr Brendan Hoban, a priest from Killala called for implementation of the translation to be suspended so priests and people could be properly consulted, according to the minutes on the association’s website. He said that it was priests who would face the hostility of many Catholics towards the new translation and that it would be unfair to use it in nursing homes where people were familiar with the old translation.

Fr Gerard Alwill, from Kilmore, said there was major dissatisfaction with the archaic terms, sexist language and long, convoluted sentences.

Fr Pádraig McCarthy of the Dublin archdiocese suggested the publication of the new translation be suspended immediately and a leaflet highlighting the pros and cons of the translation be circulated. Priests and parish liturgical groups can them make their views known to local bishops and the National Centre for Liturgy at Maynooth.

On Friday, Ireland’s Catholic bishops said they would publish a statement on the matter “shortly.”