This 2017 article profiles Reginald Foster, a passionate and unconventional Latinist who served the Vatican for decades. Foster championed a living, breathing Latin, emphasizing its spoken form and practical application rather than dry academic study. He believed Latin held a unique power to clarify thought and expression, fostering precise communication. The article highlights his dedication to teaching, his eccentric personality, and his deep love for the language, portraying him as a colorful figure who fought to keep Latin relevant in the modern world. Despite his clashes with Vatican bureaucracy and his eventual departure from Rome, Foster left an enduring legacy through his students and his unwavering commitment to preserving the beauty and utility of Latin.
In a 2017 article for The New Criterion entitled "The Vatican's Latinist," Armond White presents a multifaceted portrait of Reginald Foster, the late Latinist who served the Vatican for decades. White's piece goes beyond a simple biographical sketch, delving into Foster's unique pedagogy, his profound connection to the Latin language, and the perceived tensions between his approach and the evolving role of Latin within the Catholic Church. Foster's commitment to classical Latin, instilled in him by the Milwaukee school system and nurtured during his time at the American Academy in Rome, is depicted as a deeply personal and almost spiritual pursuit. White emphasizes Foster's conviction that Latin, specifically the Latin of Cicero and other classical authors, possesses an inherent elegance and precision that transcends mere utility and serves as a vital key to understanding Western civilization’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
The article meticulously details Foster's unconventional teaching methods, highlighting his emphasis on immersive learning through direct engagement with Latin texts and his rejection of rote memorization or grammatical drills. Foster's insistence on experiencing the language organically, encouraging students to "think in Latin," is presented as a radical departure from traditional language instruction. This approach, characterized by a playful irreverence and an insistence on the living nature of the language, is contrasted with what White perceives as a more bureaucratic and less vibrant approach to Latin within the Vatican itself. White suggests a certain irony in Foster's position: a staunch advocate for the vibrancy of classical Latin existing within an institution that, while historically intertwined with the language, might be perceived as prioritizing its functional role over its aesthetic and intellectual richness.
Furthermore, the article explores Foster's belief in the intrinsic link between Latin and the Catholic faith, portraying his dedication to the language not merely as academic scholarship, but as a form of devotion. White underscores how Foster perceived Latin as integral to understanding the nuances of theological texts and liturgical practices, arguing that the language's structure and vocabulary offer unique insights into the core principles of Catholicism. This perspective, according to the article, informed Foster's dedication to teaching Latin not just to clergymen and scholars, but also to a wider audience, including enthusiasts from various walks of life.
Finally, White's piece touches upon the complexities surrounding the changing status of Latin within the Catholic Church, particularly in the wake of the Second Vatican Council and the subsequent shift towards vernacular languages in the liturgy. While acknowledging the practical considerations behind this change, the article subtly suggests a sense of loss, echoing Foster's lament for the diminished presence of Latin in contemporary Catholic life. This perceived decline is framed as a potential weakening of the connection to the Church's historical and intellectual roots, a connection that Foster dedicated his life to preserving and promoting through his passionate engagement with the Latin language.
Summary of Comments ( 54 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43457202
HN commenters discuss the beauty and utility of Latin, some sharing personal experiences learning and using the language. A few express skepticism about the Vatican's continued emphasis on Latin, questioning its relevance in the modern world and suggesting it reinforces an air of exclusivity. Others counter this, arguing for its importance in preserving historical documents and fostering a sense of continuity within the Catholic Church. The Vatican Latinist's role in translating official documents and ensuring their accuracy is highlighted. The piece's focus on the specific individual and his work is appreciated, providing a human element to a seemingly arcane topic. Finally, the role of Latin in scientific nomenclature and its influence on other languages are also touched upon.
The Hacker News post linking to the New Criterion article "The Vatican's Latinist" has generated a modest number of comments, primarily focused on the practicality and cultural significance of maintaining Latin within the Vatican and the broader Catholic Church.
One commenter highlights the irony of the Church using Latin, a language known for its precision and clarity, while often exhibiting a lack of clarity in its actions and doctrines. They contrast the supposed clarity of Latin with what they perceive as obfuscation in Church practices.
Another commenter questions the utility of Latin, arguing that maintaining a "dead" language requires significant resources that could be better used elsewhere. This commenter frames the continued use of Latin as a form of "luxury," suggesting that the Church could modernize and communicate more effectively by adopting more widely spoken languages.
A different commenter pushes back against this utilitarian view, emphasizing the cultural and historical significance of Latin. They argue that Latin serves as a unifying force within the Catholic Church, connecting its present to its past and transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries. This commenter sees the preservation of Latin not as a waste of resources, but as a valuable investment in cultural heritage.
One commenter mentions the challenge of translating complex theological concepts into modern languages, implying that Latin may offer a level of nuance and precision that is difficult to replicate. This perspective suggests that the continued use of Latin is not simply a matter of tradition, but also a practical consideration for maintaining theological accuracy.
Finally, a commenter notes the diminishing presence of Latin in everyday Church practices, suggesting that its use is largely ceremonial. They observe that even within the Vatican, Italian has become the de facto working language, further highlighting the debate between tradition and practicality.
In summary, the comments on Hacker News reflect a range of perspectives on the Vatican's use of Latin. Some question its practical value in the modern world, while others defend its importance for cultural, historical, and theological reasons. The discussion reveals a tension between the desire for modernization and the preservation of tradition within the Catholic Church.