Pontifical Academy for Latin

The Pontifical Academy for Latin ( lat, Pontificia Academia Latinitatis) is an organization established in 2012 to promote appreciation for the Latin language and culture. The Academy replaced the Latinitas Foundation, which Pope Paul VI erected in 1976, and is linked to the Dicastery for Culture and Education on which it depends. Its headquarters is located in Vatican City.

Creation

The Pontifical Academy for Latin was founded on 10 November 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI with the motu proprio ''Latina Lingua'', which set forth as its mission the preservation and promotion of the different versions of modern and ancient Latin, including and emphasizing, but by no means limited to, ecclesiastical Latin (Church Latin) as used in the liturgies and Masses of the 2002 Roman Missal (with the Mass of Popes Paul VI and John Paul II, which is usually said in the vernacular or local people's language) and of the 1962 Roman Missal, the last pre-Vatican II edition, which includes the Mass of Pope John XXIII.

Benedict noted that knowledge of Latin was becoming ever more superficial even among those studying for the priesthood, and he hoped to support a deeper appreciation of Latin the culture attached to it both within the Church and it the broader intellectual context. He envisioned the Academy at the center of a network of academic institutions to enhance appreciation for the heritage provided by Latin civilization. He called for educational methodologies appropriate to our time.

With Pope Francis' reorganization of the Roman Curia as of 5 June 2022 as provided for in the apostolic constitution '' Praedicate evangelium'', the new Dicastery for Culture and Education became responsible for coordinating the work of this Academy with its own work and that of a number of other bodies.

The publication of its semi-annual journal ''Latinitas'' ended with the 2013 volume.

Leadership

On 10 November 2012, Professor Ivano Dionigi and Father Giuseppe Caruso were named the Academy's first president and secretary. On 20 December 2017, Pope Francis confirmed Dionigi's to another five-year term.

Organisation

The Pontifical Academy for Latin consists of a president, a secretary, the Academic Council and no more than fifty members who are also known as academicians. The president of the Academy is appointed by the pope to a renewable five-year term. The president represents the Academy legally before any judicial or administrative authority, chairs the Academic Council and the assembly of members, represents g to the Academy in meetings of the Coordinating Council of the Pontifical Academies, and maintains the relationship with the Dicastery for Culture and Education, supervises the Academy’s work, takes care of the ordinary administration and in matters of extraordinary administration with the advice of the Academic Council and of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

The Academic Council consists of the president, the secretary, and five councillors elected by the Assembly of Academics for a five-year term that may be extended. The Council, chaired by the prrsident, deliberates on the more important matters that concern the Academy. It approves the agenda for the Assembly of members to be held at least once a year. The Council is convoked by the president at least once a year and, in addition, whenever it is requested by at least three Councillors. The president, with the consent of the Council, may appoint an archivist and a treasurer.

Members are scholars and connoisseurs of the Latin language and Latin literature appointed by the Secretary of State of the Holy See who retire with the dignity of member emeritus at the age of 80. Members take part in the Assembly of the Academy and members emeriti may take part in the Assembly but are not entitled to vote. The president, after consulting the Council, may appoint correspondents.

See also

* Index of Vatican City-related articles

References

External links

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Latin
2012 establishments in Italy
Catholic organizations established in the 21st century
Latin language
Latin Church
Dicastery for Culture and Education