The Official Language of the Church?

Ecclesiastical Latin, or “Church Latin,” is the official language of the Holy See, or the Vatican city-state. It is not the official language of the Church as a whole but is instead a traditional language that has been used in the liturgy and ecclesial documents since it was gradually introduced in the fourth century. Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “The Roman Church has special obligations towards Latin, the splendid language of ancient Rome, and she must manifest them whenever the occasion presents itself” (Dominicae Cenae 10).

While Latin is an important language in the life of the Church, common or vernacular languages may be used in the liturgy and in ecclesial documents (such as the writings of bishops and episcopal colleges). Canon law states, ““The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in the Latin language or in another language provided that the liturgical texts have been legitimately approved” (Code of Canon Law 928).