Latin
The tradition of the West
Churches of this rite1
Latin Church
| Rite | Latin |
|---|---|
| Apostle | St Peter and St Paul, at Rome |
| Hierarchy | The Pope, with dioceses and archdioceses across the world |
| Where | Rome. Led directly by the Pope as Bishop of Rome. |
| Dioceses | About 2,900 |
| Members | About 1.4 billion |
Origins
From the Church of Rome, founded on the witness of St Peter and St Paul. By the 4th century, it prayed in Latin.
History
The Council of Trent and the Second Vatican Council shaped its modern life. Missions carried it worldwide. In India, its first diocese was at Quilon in 1329, and Goa followed in 1533.
Worship
Mainly the Roman Rite, in Latin and local languages. Others include the Ambrosian Rite of Milan.
Today
Spread across the whole world. In Kerala, its dioceses include Verapoly and Trivandrum.
| Population | About 1.4 billion |
|---|---|
| Geography | Worldwide |
| Dioceses | About 2,900 |
| Apostle | St Peter and St Paul, at Rome |
| Liturgy | The Mass of the Roman Rite, with other Western rites such as the Ambrosian of Milan |
| Language | Latin, and local languages since the Second Vatican Council |
| Music | Gregorian chant, polyphony and the organ, with hymns in every language |
| Hierarchy | The Pope as Bishop of Rome, with Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops |
| Year | Begins on the First Sunday of Advent |
History
From the Church of Rome and the witness of St Peter and St Paul. Latin became its language of worship around the 4th century. St Benedict and St Gregory the Great shaped its monastic and liturgical life. The Council of Trent and the Second Vatican Council renewed it, and missions carried it to every continent.