Deaf Priest?

[dans0622]

I see this piece by Dr. Ed Peters but I’m not catching anything in it about the question of what is required for the words of institution to be licit. Maybe you meant something else he refers to:

Hello,

The article I was referring to is in the canon law journal called Studia canonica. It was in the 2008/2 volume, if I remember correctly, and addressed the issues of: the ordination of men who could not speak and the validity of Sacraments performed by such a priest who used sign language. He points out that some commentators considered it to be of divine law that a mute man could not be ordained as well as the fact that it was generally thought that words must be spoken in order for the form of a Sacrament to be effective. It was a short article (under 20 pages) but was very interesting and informative.

Dan

 

[TheMc]

Here is the Eucharistic Prayer for the Deaf authorised by the Bishops of England and Wales in 1992:

liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Rites/DeafEP.pdf

The rubrics require that the celebrant says and signs the words simultaneously, so we can assume the bishops are erring on the side of caution.

I’m not sure whether the change to the preface dialogue is intentional.

I wonder if that is simplified because of the lack of signs for many of the words in the regular canon.

 

[FAB]

A deaf priest may not be able to do this, and I remember reading that if a priest went deaf after ordination he had to get a dispensation to celebrate Mass, as he couldn’t follow the rubrics. Attitudes wo following the rubrics were a lot stronger then than they are now! Also, a deaf man may not have been ordained. This sounds harsh now, but at the time, because a priest acts in persona Christi, the church didn’t want priests to be the object of mockery. A priest with a disabilty may have been made fun of when people weren’t as accepting of disability, and the church didn’t want priests to be exposed to this.

Thank the Holy Spirit that has lead us to a fuller understanding of disabilities and to acceptance.

 

[Mark1970]

Thank the Holy Spirit that has lead us to a fuller understanding of disabilities and to acceptance.

Indeed. From what I remember, there were some things that permanently excluded a man from the priesthood, others for which he had to get a dispensation to be ordained. In retrospect, some of them appear nowadays as a bit too strict. For example: in the EF, a priest is supposed to hold the host between his thumb and index finger - not middle or little finger, but between his thumb and index finger. If for some reason one of his index fingers was missing, or damaged, or for whatever reason he couldn’t use it as the rubrics directed, he may have had to get a dispensation to be ordained as a priest. Regardless of whether he could have used one of his other fingers equally well. Thankfully that’s now fallen by the wayside!

 

[TheMc]

Indeed. From what I remember, there were some things that permanently excluded a man from the priesthood, others for which he had to get a dispensation to be ordained. In retrospect, some of them appear nowadays as a bit too strict. For example: in the EF, a priest is supposed to hold the host between his thumb and index finger - not middle or little finger, but between his thumb and index finger. If for some reason one of his index fingers was missing, or damaged, or for whatever reason he couldn’t use it as the rubrics directed, he may have had to get a dispensation to be ordained as a priest. Regardless of whether he could have used one of his other fingers equally well. Thankfully that’s now fallen by the wayside!

I have mixed feelings on this type of thing. Certainly, missing an index finger shouldn’t be an impediment to ordination, but I wish we had that kind of respect for the rubrics today.

 

[SonCatcher]

There is no formally approved translation of the OF or EF of the Mass in ASL so it is an interesting question about the words of institution.

If I were to venture a guess, perhaps they use “signed English” as opposed to ASL in the absence of an official ASL translation.

Here is the Eucharistic Prayer for the Deaf authorised by the Bishops of England and Wales in 1992:

liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Rites/DeafEP.pdf

The rubrics require that the celebrant says and signs the words simultaneously, so we can assume the bishops are erring on the side of caution.

I’m not sure whether the change to the preface dialogue is intentional.

It’s good to see that. I’m not sure whether it would be suitable for American Catholics due to the differences between sign languages. As for the modifications, they are to best preserve meaning. The sign language may be simpler for expediency (e.g. “scarlet,” “crimson,” and “red” likely have the same sign since they all refer to shades of the same color) which would create the appearance of “simplified” English when the signs are written down.

 

[JLASchofield]

It appears I’ve been misunderstood; when I made a mention of changes, I was specifically talking about the dialogue which comes immediately before the Preface. I noticed before I posted the link that both priest and congregation were asked to say ‘The Lord be with you.’ I considered this odd, as (though I have no knowledge of sign language) I would have thought ‘And also with you’ should be fairly easy to render, perhaps with the omission of ‘also’ if it has the same sign as ‘and.’

As for the simplification of the rest of the prayer, I perfectly understand that sign language is more limited than spoken language, especially in the verbiage of many prayers.

 

[sojo]

ASL is a different language with its own grammar and syntax. It is much more than just a collection of signs. It would be considered very rude to tell someone speaking ASL that they are “leaving out words” or using a “simplified and abbreviated version of English.” ASL can convey very precise information as well as rich, expressive poetic thoughts.

That said, there are different skill levels of ASL users. If you grew up speaking ASL from birth (and I know many people who have), and you spend a lot of time regularly in a large, diverse community of ASL speakers, and you are educated with the resulting educated vocabulary, then its one thing. Of course, many people who know some ASL are not proficient and it is their 2nd, 3rd or 4th language. Like any other 2nd language, they can make themselves understood, but the native ASLers are being very lenient. You are most likely mangling their language, but they will catch on to what you are trying to say.

There’s even “baby ASL”, which is signing for infants. As there is a certain dexterity required, and infants lack the fine motor, they are taught an abbreviated version of ASL. I’ve seen many adults talking “baby ASL” and not realizing it!

All this is to say, there is no reason that all the rubrics can’t be covered by ASL. If necessary, and is often seen, a person may finger spell important words to make sure the correct thing is understood by all, or just to emphasize something. There are many nuances of body language to connote things that we might use “helper words” in English.

I have attended Mass many years ago at the deaf community parish in San Francisco (which is a striking church by any measure). This was a lunch time Mass, so we were about 1/2 hearing and 1/2 not. Some of us spoke the responses, some signed and some did both when we could.

I’ve also attended Mass in other foreign languages where I hardly caught more than a word here or there. I just responded where appropriate in English. It is one of the wonderful things about Catholicism, isn’t it? During the homily, I meditate on the readings until we are back on safe ground. If I were to attend a 100% ASL Mass with no spoken language, I could follow along and I would simply do as I do in foreign language Masses - respond when I know where we are, and tap my missal and look puzzled at my neighbor when I need help figuring out where we are.

There are some awesome ASL translators in the Bay Area. I was watching a video my brother (a protestant evangelical) showed me of his church with ASL, and I was struck at how simplified and babylike their translation was compared to what we are used to here on the West Coast.

If a priest can be ordained who speaks German, Spanish or French, then there’s no reason he can’t be ordained speaking ASL. Not every deaf person can make intelligible oral responses, and for something as important as an ordination, he should be allowed to speak in his first and native tongue - which is ASL for many people.

Hope this provides a bit of insight.

 

[ClairUK]

I don’t have anything intelligent or valuable to add to this discussion - I just wanted to say what an inspiration I think that deaf priest is, and will be to his flock God Bless him!

 

[SonCatcher]

I’ve also attended Mass in other foreign languages where I hardly caught more than a word here or there. I just responded where appropriate in English. It is one of the wonderful things about Catholicism, isn’t it? During the homily, I meditate on the readings until we are back on safe ground. If I were to attend a 100% ASL Mass with no spoken language, I could follow along and I would simply do as I do in foreign language Masses - respond when I know where we are, and tap my missal and look puzzled at my neighbor when I need help figuring out where we are.

I agree that is one of the wonderful things about being Catholic. Anyone can attend a Mass anywhere in the world, in any language and effectively participate just as at home.

 

[GilChrist77]

Actually, Confession would not be an issue at all. I’m friends with some of the premier Catholic interpreters for the archdiocese here, and the rule is simple: If an interpreter is needed for either the Confessor or the one confessing, then the interpreter is bound to honor the seal of the confessional in exactly the same manner as the Confessor with the same protection under civil law, and the same penalties under canon law if they were to break the seal.

I am studying to be an interpreter and when interpreting a person is bound by a strict code of conduct to keep confidentiality. In my class last semester my teacher highly stressed the idea that when you are interpreting you yourself disappear. The only reason you are there is to felicitate communication. There is no conversation between the interpreter and the Deaf person at all. It’s just interpreting what is being said. There’s no reason, if the Deaf person is comfortable, not to have an interpreter in the confessional.

I’m an interpreter and what you say is quite correct. And deaf people are quite used to writing notes back and forth and tho that may seem odd if you aren’t used to it that would be fine for confession once you’re used to it. Sometimes people sit at a computer and take turns typing as another means of communication when they don’t want, or can’t get, a qualified interpreter.

When my friend Monique was on retreat with us she wrote notes with the priest and that also works fine.

My daughter received all her sacraments from Fr. Tom Coughlin who later founded a new order the Dominican Missionaries for the Deaf Apostolate now located in San Antonio. He was apparently just awarded a Doctorate in Ministry, honoris causa from Catholic Theological Union, I learned on Facebook today. Wonderful, wonderful priest (and nurse!)!

That is awesome that your daughter received all her sacraments from Father Tom. I’m hoping to go to one of their workshops on Deaf Ministry at some point here.

It appears I’ve been misunderstood; when I made a mention of changes, I was specifically talking about the dialogue which comes immediately before the Preface. I noticed before I posted the link that both priest and congregation were asked to say ‘The Lord be with you.’ I considered this odd, as (though I have no knowledge of sign language) I would have thought ‘And also with you’ should be fairly easy to render, perhaps with the omission of ‘also’ if it has the same sign as ‘and.’

As for the simplification of the rest of the prayer, I perfectly understand that sign language is more limited than spoken language, especially in the verbiage of many prayers.

I know another poster already said this but I wanted to reiterate the point. American Sign Language is it’s own language and is very complex. It has it’s own syntax, idioms etc. It is not just signed English. Some people do use Signed English but it’s very different from ASL.

I fully support Deaf vocations. I am studying ASL and have a vocation to religious life. One of my desires is to make religious life available for Deaf women because while I as an interpreter can have an impact in the Deaf community I’m not Deaf so I can only impact the community so much. A Deaf sister however could make a big difference in her own community of Deaf people. Plus if God can call me with my crazy health issues why couldn’t He call someone who is Deaf??

JMJDTF+
~Betsy

 

[sojo]

Betsy - God bless you for your work and study in English/ASL interpretation. This is such a wonderful service!

It was me who tried to point out that ASL is NOT just signed English. It is an entirely unique and expressive language of its own. This is something that too few Americans understand.

My son is 14 now, with Down syndrome. When he was born, he had questionable hearing and most kids with Down syndrome have a delay in communication even without hearing loss, so we immediately jumped into ASL (mostly baby signs). When hearing was determined, we stopped pursuing ASL and worked on Spanish and Latin in addition to English because any language study helps to build neuronal connections in the brain and boost processing. N

Now that he is 14, we are thinking that he could benefit from a more mature grounding in ASL - very practical as many in the disability community also sign, both the hearing disabled and many people with other disabilities like autism and Down syndrome and other disorders that affect expressive language.

So next school year, I am going to ask one of his early ASL and respite aids to start regular classes for him and for us (we home school).

My husband is fully fluent in Spanish - entirely self taught, but he writes poetry and reads fine literature in Spanish. He is totally excited about learning this beautiful and expressive language. I am very excited about learning it myself, as well as building on my Spanish knowledge. The ability to communicate with other children of God is an enormous blessing!