Pontificia Academia Latinitatis (!)

[R_C]

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum (though there was already a news post here ).

With the motu proprio Latina Lingua (English translation) issued November 10, 2012, Holy Father Benedict XVI has established the Pontifical Academy for Latinity.

News 1 (alternative link)

News 2

The Academy is meant to promote the knowledge and study of the Latin language and Latin literature, from classical times to the present day.

Pope Benedict said a good understanding of Latin is more necessary than ever in the Church, due to its importance in studying Theology, Liturgy, Patristics, and Canon Law. a “superficial” knowledge of Latin can be detrimental to the philosophical and theological training of future priests. However, the Academy is also meant to serve the wider society.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Meh. I wonder what this will mean in practice. I did notice that the laws of the Academy are experimental for a period of five years; possibility for tweaking them seems anticipated. I think that’s good.

 

[dzheremi]

Latinity is an awesome word. I can’t see how this is anything but a good thing. Score another one for Pope Benedict XVI, I think.

 

[OraLabora]

Meh. I wonder what this will mean in practice.

In practice, probably not much at our level. I think this will have greater impact at the academic level. The Church needs Latin linguists to study ancient documents, keep Latin alive, etc. The level of understanding that we need to have say a Latin OF or EF Mass (or Latin in the Ordinary at the OF Mass) does not have to be anywhere near as great.

To the extent that this contributes to the overall knowledge level in the Church, this can’t be other than very good news.

For us in the laity, well, I’ve been doing chant for the last 10 years and can get by with rudimentary Latin for that.

 

[Baelor]

I hope that there are opportunities for laymen to get involved!