English missal for the Mass is expected in 2009

The Vatican's Vox Clara Committee has announced that the new English translation of the Roman missal is expected to be ready by the end of 2009.

This follows a meeting in Rome over the past few days, under the chairmanship of Sydney's Cardinal George Pell.

Catholic News Service reports that Vox Clara Committee hopes missal translation completed by 2009 it was the first time they have set a specific date.

The third edition of the Roman Missal was promulgated in Latin by Pope John Paul II in 2002. Work on the English translation began soon afterwards.

A Vox Clara statement said its meeting reviewed the most recent draft translations of the Roman Missal. These were produced in English by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy, or ICEL, which is preparing the translation in several sections.

The material includes Masses for various needs and intentions, as well as ritual Masses and the eucharistic prayers for Masses with children.

The committee's next meeting is scheduled for December.