Fourth, from reason.
Fourth, from reason.
§ 499. (IV) From reason. “It is helpful for preserving the unity of the Church that the public usage of Scripture should be in a common language. Otherwise the communication of the churches will be removed and no general councils will be able to be held because not all the fathers would have the gift of languages.”
We respond. (1) Because of the same unity of the Church, Latin would have to be the only language that should be used. (2) On the other hand, it is sufficient for the unity of the Church that the Hebrew text in the Old Testament and the Greek in the New be and remain authentic, and we must weigh all translations according to that norm. (3) One must summon to councils not unlettered and unlearned people but people skilled in languages who can pass judgment on controversies from the sources.