In conjunction with LifeSiteNews, the Ruth Institute is promoting an on-line petition asking Pope Francis not to change the English words of the Our Father.
The Pontiff has approved changing the Italian translation. There are reports that – with little input from Bible scholars – he plans to make the same
changes in the English version — from “Lead us not into temptation” to “Do not abandon us to temptation.”
The petition (posted on Life Petitions) reads in part:
“We’ve learned the words of our prayers from our mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, our priests, nuns and brothers. Please don’t break
this precious connection with these cherished people, with our tradition, and our past. Please don’t replace these beloved words.”
The petition notes that “Jesus gave us these words,” as recorded by Matthew and Luke in Greek, and in Latin by St. Jerome and faithfully translated
into English by “our distant ancestors.”
Ruth Institute President Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D. said that while the Institute usually deals with political and social issues, “This petition
is important because faith is the foundation of our lives. It permeates everything, including the Ruth Institute’s work for the family.”
Dr. Morse continued, “This petition is respectful of Pope Francis and his office. We wish to convey to him that the faithful of the English-speaking
world are attached to the words of the Lord’s Prayer. The proposed change will create unnecessary confusion and division in an already confused
and divided church.”