[lg policy] Pope Francis Approves Mayan Mass, Opens Up Liturgy In Indigenous Languages Tzotzil And Tzeltal

[Harold Schiffman]

 Pope Francis Approves Mayan Mass, Opens Up Liturgy In Indigenous Languages
Tzotzil And Tzeltal
01/07/2014 10:29 pm ET | *Updated* Jan 25, 2014

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Catholic Church has officially recognized
<http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2014/01/02/mayan_mass.html>the
liturgy conducted in Mayan languages Tzotzil and Tzeltal, seven years after
the Diocese of San Cristobal led the call for the Vatican to accept it.
Pope Francis approved it in October 2013, and now mass and important
Catholic rituals like confession and baptism can be officially conducted in
the two indigenous languages.

This is of huge importance to the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, where
San Cristobal is located. 65% of the population of Chiapas is native Maya,
and most of those people speak little Spanish, though it is the official
language of the liturgy along with Latin.

The Right Reverend Enrique Diaz, auxiliary bishop for San Cristobal, told
the BBC <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25445819>that he
partly credits Pope Francis with making this landmark change. "Undoubtedly
Pope Francis has brought a fresh approach," he said. "Even though there
isn't such an indigenous presence in Argentina, he has spent time with
indigenous communities and understands us well."

Tzotzil and Tzeltal are spoken by an estimated 650,000 people, reports
Catholic News Service.
<http://www.catholicsentinel.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=34&ArticleID=22587>


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