Sir, – Maureen Junker-Kenny implies (Opinion Analysis, August 28th) that changing “for all” in the Eucharistic prayer to “for the many” limits the scope of the benefits of Christ’s death. This interpretation is too rigid.
The context includes the words “for you”. referring to those present at the supper. These are “the few”. Therefore, “the many” can, and indeed should, be understood to mean everyone else, ie all humanity except those present, who are already covered. The translation “for you and for all” is unsatisfactory as it would mean, logically, that those present were bring double-counted.
Considered in this light, “for the many” is certainly less restrictive than the “for many” that appears in my 1940s missal. Moreover, since Latin did not have the definite article, it is an equally valid translation of “pro multis”.
I wonder what words were used in the original Aramaic. – Yours, etc,