Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche Schweiz - New French translation of the Lord’s Prayer Introduced

New French translation of the Lord’s Prayer Introduced

The Christian churches of Western Switzerland – Catholic, Reformed and Evangelical – will introduce a modified translation of the Lord’s Prayer on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebrations. This new translation, which already has been introduced in France and other French-speaking countries, was adopted by ecumenical agreement in the course of an extensive consultation among the various churches of Romandy.

Although originally, the new translation was to be introduced during the 2017 Advent season, it was decided to wait until Easter 2018 in order to give the synods of the Reformed churches of Western Switzerland and the Swiss Evangelical Alliance time to ratify this modified version of the Lord’s Prayer, which had previously been ratified by the Swiss Bishops Conference.

With their decision to adopt the new, common translation and to introduce it to their liturgies at the same time, the churches signing this communique confirm their willingness to work together in a spirit of unity. Even though the first ecumenical translation of the Lord’s Prayer was introduced in Romandy in 1966, all parties involved are delighted that the entire community of believers can continue to pray the same universal prayer taught by Jesus.

The celebrating parishes are invited to say the Lord’s Prayer in its new version on Easter morning and thus to honor its official introduction.