Papal Latinist makes new push to save “dying” language

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Latin in the Church

Comments: 15

Rome, Italy, Jan 30, 2007 / 11:20 am (CNA).- Latin is a language that is integral to the life of the Church and it must be saved, says Papal Latinist Fr. Reginald Foster.

The 69-year-old Carmelite friar, originally from Milwaukee, was appointed the Papal Latinist 38 years ago by Pope Paul VI. He spoke with the Sunday Telegraph about the importance of Latin and his desire to see the study of the language restored.

“You cannot understand St Augustine in English. He thought in Latin. It is like listening to Mozart through a jukebox," he told The Sunday Telegraph. "Like classical music, Latin will always be there. If we cannot understand it, it is we who are losing out."

Fr. Foster, who has translated speeches and letters for four popes, including Benedict XVI’s Deus Caritas Est, has just launched a new Latin Academy in Rome in his final effort to prevent it from dying out. He hopes to attract 130 students a year.

But he admitted: "It is dying in the Church. I'm not optimistic about Latin. The young priests and bishops are not studying it." He said priests were no longer compelled to study Latin at seminaries, and now found it impossible to read vital theological tracts.

Paul VI insisted on greater use of Latin within the Vatican, but Fr. Foster said more junior members of the Catholic hierarchy were less enthusiastic now. He offered that the only solution to the decline of Latin was for the Pope to lead by example.

Fr. Foster, who until recently taught a popular course at Rome's Jesuit-run Gregorian University, lamented the loss of Latin in schools across most of Europe. He said students were missing out on important elements of history by not learning the language.

He added that the schools that do teach Latin use outdated teaching techniques. "You need to present the language as a living thing," he said.

Comments: 15

Subscriber comments:

Published by: John Doe
Sioux City, IA USA 09/27/2007 01:36 PM EST

Matt,
Yvon might be guilty of things I am unaware of but from the one post I see you responded to, you were a little harsh. It sounds to me like she is curious and playing with ideas.

Jesus, being a good Jew, spoke Hebrew. Being a good regional person, he spoke Aramaic. He would have had to speak both to worship and conduct business. The four Evangelists, also Jews, wrote in Aramaic. This tells us Jesus chose the native Aramaic to teach in. The four Evangelist writers wrote in Aramaic as well, furthering the idea. Jesus was probably educated in Hebrew for Temple worship, he probably as a child, not old enough to be taught be his family, spoke Aramaic. Paul chose Greek to spread the word, theres another difference.

Latin, like the Church is universal. It makes a great "Church Language." Nothing translates perfectly. Theological tracts, Papal encyclicals, Canon Law, Augustine, Aquinas; all Latin. I agree with the good Friar, Latin should come back.

Peace and Prayer--

Published by: Matt
New York 02/14/2007 11:58 PM EST

Yvon,

From the comments you have written on this site, it is obvious you are an ignorant person. You obviously forgot to mention that Christ forgave those who executed Him, and the last time I checked, the Jews spoke Hebrew not Latin. Plus the fact that the early church spoke Greek AND Latin, they were chosen by the East and West as the official languages. Jesus was a Jew and also spoke Hebrew, should we do Mass in that too?

The fact is your constant comments on this board are vicious, denigrating, insulting, and anti-Catholic. You know NOTHING about Catholicism, yet make outrageous remarks on threads that are anything but Christ-like, they are seething with vile and hatred. I hope and pray that you will see what Christ really is, but someone needed to tell you that you are out of line in your remarks and your knowledge of the Church. May God be with you.

Published by: Yvon Thivierge
Ottawa ON Canada 02/14/2007 12:28 PM EST

I wonder what the founder of the Catholic Church thinks about this Latin obsesion. As the language of his oppressors and executors, he certainly did not and could not cherish it! Why don't you strive to learn my mother tongue, Aramaic, is what Jesus would tell this misguided and elitist Papal Latinist!

Published by: Henry
Virginia 02/12/2007 04:31 PM EST

Forget Latin. Bring back Greek, the language of the early church.

Published by: Albert Hovis
Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA 02/03/2007 10:19 AM EST

Having known Fr. Reginald since 1955 and observed at first hand his dedication to Latin, I can only praise his continued dedication to the Latin language. I remember his excitement when he had his first interview with Cardinal Antonio Bacci, who was in the forefront of encouraging Latin at that time. Latin is not only the Church language, but it is, we must not forget, the langage of the Romans who have given so much culture to our world!

Published by: J. Ritzheimer
Pottstown, Pa 02/01/2007 03:51 PM EST

I pray it is not too late

Published by: Dave
New Mex, US 02/01/2007 12:02 PM EST

I'm trying to learn the language on my own for a variety of reasons. Then I plan on teaching it to my son and any future children of mine.

Does this mean it won't be a dead language anymore? :)

Published by: Luiz Carlos M. Filho
Maringá, Paraná, Brasil 01/31/2007 08:28 PM EST

I study Latin by myself since I was 14 years old. It's an amazing language, really a treasure. I can't imagine We - as catholics - losing it without doing anything against this terrible situation! I hope good news are coming... Adjuva nos, Domine!

Published by: Rodrigo Saldaña Guerrero
Puebla, México 01/31/2007 08:22 PM EST

Since so many important works are written in ancient greek and latin, it is to be wished that there will for a very long time people who understand and are able to traslate from those languages. But, how can a language that few if any Christians spoke in the first years of the life of the church be an "integral part" of that life? Reality can defeat legislation and often does. In the old days when latin was still taught as the official language in seminaries, plenty of seminarians had a very doubtful mastery of that language. The best hope for latin lies in the hands of those people who, like Fr. Foster, wish to keep it alive. If they succeed in making it atractive and in promoting better ways of teaching and learning it, that will do far more for the survival of latin that official measures making its use obligatory. I have read that liturgical ceremonies were celebrated in greek even in Rome, in the first years of that Christian community.

Published by: Peter Mall
Southampton, UK 01/31/2007 02:23 AM EST

The apostles spoke in tongues, showing the need to preach and teach people in their native languages. Please remember that the goal of the Church is to save souls: it is easier to communicate when you address people in their own language.

Published by: Claire Whitton
Ottawa Ontario 01/30/2007 09:21 PM EST

What is taking so long
for the liturgical reform document to be
published! I just can't believe that the
delay is intentional, maybe just sabotaged by liberal heads at the Vatican!

Published by: Suzanne
Akron, OH USA 01/30/2007 09:10 PM EST

There are thousands of languages spoken in the dioceses around the world in Roman Catholic Church. Vatican documents must continue to be written in "one" language from which vernacular documents can then be translated. Will the new "central" language be French? I have read that experts say Latin is the best language from which to translate documents to multiple languages due to its language structure.

And finally, when Catholics come to Rome to worship in a common language, the Vatican II documents still tell us - that common language shall be "Latin."

Published by: Marian Taylor
Memphis, TN USA 01/30/2007 02:59 PM EST

Latin should be required, in seminaries if no other place of learning - since it is still the official Language of the Church - yet another example of the so-called "leaders" failing to lead... The Bible itself says "My people perish for lack of knowledge".

Published by: R. Anderson
Ontario, Canada 01/30/2007 02:21 PM EST

As a high school student in 1983, I registered for a latin course in Grade 10. I was one of three who had signed up, and consequently, the course was dropped from the syllabus. A few years later while studying science at university, I enrolled in latin as an elective course and took the equivalent of five years' worth of latin in a single year. I have never regretted it and, as a lover of language, cherish my rudimentary knowledge of the Church's official tongue. What a rich blessing it would be to welcome latin back to its rightful and dignified place as language of the universal Church!

Published by: Lee
Oswego,IL 01/30/2007 01:50 PM EST

They have no one to blame but themselves.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com